I'd be interested in tapping the expertise on this blog about this, but my worry is that Delonte is in the midst of a critical dilema. If the diagnosis we've heard, bi-polar disorder, is correct then he's got a very difficult road ahead. This is very serious mental illness and is treated with some intense medication and requires an invested support system to sustain healthy functioning. At least that's my view. I wonder if he can be (physically) an NBA player while on lithium or other like mood stabilizer. And, if he chooses to not medicate, what does that mean as the disease runs its course of severe mood swings -- sometimes resulting in delusions and suicidal ideation. He is still a young man and I think most who suffer from and survive with bipolar have to go through a painful process of self-discovery before understanding how best to treat/deal with the illness.
Anyway, I am sure there are many on this site who have more experience than I do with this mental illness, but it occurs to me that life in the NBA may not be a great match for bipolar disorder even though sometimes it may feel fine depending upon how/when the person cycles through the mania and depression. If he can play on the meds, then the other concern would be all the temptations of the NBA life -- he'll need some serious friends, a solid family and excellent mental health support -- I would think.
