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OGDEN - Love of art has been the cure for a doctor who lost his medical career to a severely debilitating bipolar disorder.
Dr. Walter Brodis had a successful practice in internal medicine in Ogden when, in 1995, he began experiencing depression and hypomania, classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. The symptoms became so severe he was forced to quit his job.
"My symptoms were emotional agitation such as anger, rage attacks, paranoia, difficulty controlling thoughts, racing thoughts, severe depression and suicidal thoughts," Brodis said.
Brodis was hospitalized and treated with medication but his depression led to his brain-related breathing problems. Using oxygen and treatments for sleep apnea didn't help and Brodis suffered right-sided heart failure.
"Electroconvulsive therapy literally saved my life," he said. "It helped my depression and eliminated suicidal thoughts and it corrected my breathing problem," Brodis said.
Brodis attempted to go back to work twice, without success.
Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Brodis remembered his childhood love for art and decided to pick up a paintbrush.
"It offers a time of mental stimulation without anxiety," he said.
"Painting is a right-brain activity and seems to be less affected, if at all, so I benefit from the peace, helping my mood and anxiety. Art helps one look past their mortal soul."
Brodis has painted hundreds of watercolors. He enjoys painting landscapes, which, when hung on a wall in the house, gives a window to the wonder of the wilderness.
Brodis, 54, was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania where he also earned his medical degree.
He and his wife, Donna, have five children, all of whom Brodis credits in helping him overcome his illness.
"For over a decade of my life my father was not there. It is not the same way a family might lose a father if he takes off. My father was still present but only in the fact he still lived with us," said Walt's son, Josh Brodis. "Almost every other part of him was lost."
Josh said the family wasn't about to give up hope. Instead, they encouraged their father to paint. Because of his disability, Brodis is not able to work and sell his art.
However, Josh, who owns his own business, sells prints of his dad's paintings. He designed a Web site for his father's work at www.rockymtnart.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to the National Alliance for Mental Health.
"It's almost hard to imagine the distant, old, depressed father of the past. He has taken such a tremendous leap for the better," Josh said. "He is my father and I love him. What a lot of people don't realize is that a mental illness can be just as damaging as a physical illness. In a lot of ways, mental illness can be worse. After a family lives through a mental illness it puts a lot into perspective. We don't take things for granted anymore, especially after seeing how bad he was, to how amazing he is now. We are thankful every day."
Brodis said anyone showing signs of a mental disorder should seek immediate help from both a physician and a therapist.
"As the National Alliance for Mental Health says, 'Have hope. Treatment works. Recovery is possible and you are not alone,' " he said.
