Nine months after a "fairytale wedding," Laura Baskall-Smith's husband, Cody, was arrested at gunpoint, revealing a sudden and severe mental health crisis. The events that followed led to his diagnosis of Bipolar 1 disorder with psychotic features.
What began as subtle behavioral changes escalated rapidly. Laura recounted waking up to Cody hiding behind a curtain, convinced the DEA was surveilling him. He also spoke of the Holy Spirit telling them they would lead a prominent church, a belief that emerged without prior indication. His speech became rapid and disorganized, accompanied by increasing irritability and sleeplessness.
"He was clearly mentally suffering but I didn't understand why," Laura stated. The incident that led to his arrest involved him climbing in and out of cars in a Blockbuster parking lot, barefoot and in pajama pants, while police had their guns drawn.
He was taken to the hospital, where doctors initially suggested drug use. However, toxicology reports came back clean. A psychiatrist diagnosed him with schizophrenia, a label that felt inexplicable to Laura, given Cody's prior behavior over their four years together.
Later, at an inpatient psychiatric unit, his diagnosis was revised to Bipolar 1 with psychotic features. Laura recognized that his lack of sleep, irritability, and disorganized speech were symptoms of mania, while his delusions and paranoia were indicative of psychosis.
"It is estimated that up to 14 million Americans live with bipolar disorder," the article notes, adding that "as many as 69 percent are misdiagnosed – some for as long as 10 years." This can lead to individuals being incorrectly treated for depression, anxiety, ADHD, or borderline personality disorder.
Over the past 20 years, Laura and Cody have navigated his condition together. This involved therapy for both, extensive education about bipolar disorder, and Laura's participation in support groups. They established boundaries to manage the illness during its more severe episodes, and Cody committed to staying on his medication. Baskall-Smith authored the book "When Bipolar Moved Into Our Marriage" to share their experience and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.