Joe frequently exhibited severe mood swings, bouts of paranoia, narcissistic and antisocial behaviors, depression, anxiety, agitation, and even perhaps a degree of Schizophrenia. Because he had such a plethora of mental illnesses, he undoubtedly had an awful time trying to maneuver through life. Nevertheless, he functioned as best he could, based on the hand of life that was dealt to him. Naturally, he felt more comfortable being alone because he appeared to be more content and less agitated. He worked hard to avoid a lot of stimulation, large crowds, etc. Of course, he would never admit that he had a problem or take medication for it and like most people, he swore that everyone else had the problem.

Although Joe struggled, he did the best he could to play the hand that life dealt to him. He was a poor, black, and uneducated man with a host of mental health issues that prevented him from being the supportive father and spouse that he wanted to be. As he aged his illnesses grew worse as well as his relationship with his family who loved him dearly. Unfortunately, Joe became a ward of the state and eventually died alone in a skilled nursing facility. Bittersweet is a story about the effects of mental health that involve not only the individual but his family members who unfortunately became entangled in the tentacles of circumstance. In an attempt to endure Joe’s illness, the family used a combination of patience, suffering, humor, and tears to create somewhat of a mental raft to guide them through what felt like very deep and treacherous waves. Bittersweet not only paints a vivid picture of mental illness but most important, unveils the many hidden layers and breaks the silence so that help can be obtained. Mental illness knows no boundaries and affects those from all walks of life regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status.