Power of Attorney: 20 weeks, 5-6 days

July 24-25:

Hi Fred*,

I spoke with Dan about this. As I was reading my book, "Bipolar and Pregnant", it began by saying that any woman who is pregnant and suffers from bipolar should automatically get a Mental Health Power of Attorney and allot someone in her life (in my case, Dan) to have the ability to place her in the custody and care of a mental hospital if needed without her consent throughout her entire pregnancy and six weeks after. I am sure that this varies from state to state, but I was wondering if you knew anything about this.

Dan said that he would like to have this power and thinks that it is a good idea. This week my mood swings were pretty out of control. I was calm one minute, happy and ecstatic the next, and then not really wanting to live. All I want is to be a good mother and if this is something that will help my family out, I will be more than happy to do it and give up some of my freedom to check myself into a hospital if need be. I also think that this would be good since I am off of the lithium right now and am not taking any medication for my condition.

Let me know your thoughts on this. And do you know where I could obtain this legal document?

Thanks,

Tara

*name of my therapist hidden

Tara,

I had attended an updated Ethics Training course in June 2009 and the power of attorney has become a requirement for all clients to become knowledgeable about and it is highly recommended that all clients with psychiatric conditions, such as major depression, bipolar, etc. exercise this power of attorney for their benefits. We can discuss this matter further this week. I strongly recommended that you and Dan exercise this ASAP for everyone’s benefit. I am very proud of your insights and compassion. Keep up the great work.

Fred