Helen Karev (portrayed by Lindsay Wagner and Emily Rutherfurd) suffered from , which deeply impacted Alex’s upbringing. Because of her condition, Alex essentially raised himself and his two younger siblings, Aaron and Amber.
: Helen eventually visited Seattle, where she met Alex's "person," Meredith Grey . This was a pivotal moment for Alex, as it bridged his difficult past with his successful present.
: As a teenager, Alex was her primary caregiver, ensuring she took her medication to manage her delusions.
Their most significant on-screen arc occurred in later seasons: