Racing Thoughts (Ca Tourne Dans Ma Tete)

Canadian filmmaker Louiselle Noël was belatedly treated in her 40s for rapid-bipolar disorder, which had plagued her since childhood. Here, she channels her pain of decades of torment without medication into an emotional series of interviews with kids who are grappling with bipolar, schizoid-affective disorder, and other related childhood mental illnesses. While psychiatrists and doctors are thanked in the credits, Noël steers clear of lab-coated professionals, instead turning to children and their families for testimonies regarding uncontrollable tantrums, biting, self-mutilation, confinement in dungeon-like "quiet rooms," and pleas for assisted suicide. One dad seems to crystallize the theme by faulting Canada's universal healthcare establishment, arguing that the bureaucracy emphasizes "education" but delays diagnosis and treatment with medication because of timidity and stigma about dosing juveniles with psychotropics (the free-market U.S. medical system is better, he declares)—although potential life-threatening side effects of these drugs are mentioned in passing. Presented with both English and French versions, Racing Thoughts will be useful for families, schools, and vested viewers on both sides of the border struggling with issues related to mental illness. DVD extras include interviews with the director and Dr. Stan Kutcher. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)