Educational Media Reviews Online

Bipolarized “follows Ross’ troubled personal journey, while telling a larger story about mental illness and conventional drug treatments.” Imagine being a star athlete, class valedictorian with a picture perfect family and bright future and then dramatically having, at age 21, a psychotic break that brings a diagnosis of bipolar disease. This describes events in the life of Ross McKenzie, Jr. who decides to question this diagnosis and then document with videorecordings his journey to find answers, explore alternative treatments, and challenge the traditional drug treatments that sometimes harm more than heal.

From Feb 2010 through May 2012, “the film recounts the alternative path Ross used to regain his mental, emotional and physical health.” Viewers listen to emotions Ross describes, hear his mother’s observations, and observe his work with naturopathic doctors in Costa Rica and Cartagena, Columbia. Ross listens to a friend who works for and understands the pharmaceutical industry and follows her suggestion to get to the root cause of the problem by getting opinions and evaluations from other psychiatrists and mental health experts. As Ross is helped by these consultations, viewers will learn some of the myths behind mental disorders and realize that the pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in marketing drugs that may not be beneficial to some patients. Viewers see protests at the American Psychiatric Association conference by patients who want to vocalize their concerns about medication and the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to classify mental illness conditions.

Ross consults and works with psychotherapist, Dr. Charles Whitfield in Atlanta and trauma expert Dr. Peter Levine and soon learns that he and more than half of bipolar patients show symptoms of post traumatic stress. This film is both instructive and disturbing, as viewers see the challenges for the traditional drug treatments for mental illness. The videotape journey is an inspirational film of courage and determination interspersed with layers of knowledge, compassion, and understanding from psychiatrists and mental health advocates who help Ross achieve a healthy life without the use of drugs. Highly recommended for psychology collections in university and public libraries.

Awards

• Winner, Special Jury Award, Health and Wellness, Worldfest International Film Festival
• Winner, Certificate for Creative Excellence, U.S. International Film and Video Festival
• Winner, Best Feature Documentary, Made in America Film Festival