Episode 4.08: Family Mental Health, with Shelly Sood and Nikhil Torsekar

 
 
 
“There has to be boundaries... it can go from concern to overinvolvement to codependency... but it’s something that I’d say every family probably struggles with, and in our culture especially, it’s a tough thing to navigate - setting those boundaries.”
— Nikhil Torsekar, Episode 4.08: Family Mental Health
“In marriage we say ‘in sickness and in health,’ but does that really include mental health? Probably not, because when that other person becomes... whatever it may be, because of the mental illness, we kind of cut and run.”
— Shelly Sood, Episode 4.08: Family Mental Health
 
 
 

It is 2015, and Nikhil and Shelly are staying in a quaint cabin in Wisconsin. They had been fighting for some time, and are hoping that this is a chance to rekindle their marriage. But back at the cabin, Shelly encounters her worst nightmare. Nikhil's face turns to stone as he says, "I don't love you anymore. I want a divorce." Shelly enters into hysterics. Divorce proceedings follow. But Nikhil and Shelly's story takes an unexpected twist when Nikhil is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. On this episode, we discuss their mental health journey as a family; sweeping issues under the rug, their marriage falling apart and coming back together, and coming to terms with seeking help. Shelly discusses her ability to separate Nikhil, the person, from his disorder even in the wake of all the hurt she faced. Nikhil shares his journey with his bipolar diagnosis and how Shelly helped him seek treatment. They describe how their kids and parents dealt with the diagnosis and their contentious divorce -- that never actually went through. Together, they weave a story of unwavering faith in the future and in each other.

Shelly and Nikhil can be reached:

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