brilliant advice

thanks for sharing

Emz xx

Since people have been coming out of the woodwork and talking more about this condition, it seems every second person I meet nowdays has bi-polar. I think it's great that people are less inclined to sweep such things under the carpet and pretend they will go away if we ignore it.

I have had bipolar for as long as I can remember up until i started on my meds about six years ago I had never released that life was not an extreme up or an extreme low. After having my daughter I went into a low  i just could not get out of and it just got worse, the birth of my next child didnt help and the fact i was married to a narcissist  did not help. I remember after about three weeks on the meds I now take feeling this amazing pop in my head and it was like I had come out of a nightmare with the cloud slowly going away. It must of been hard on my ex as he slowly watched me turn things round i stopped thinking about driving into power poles I went to bed wanting to wake in the morning and he slowly lost his control over me as I realised that there is a medium for moods not total extremes and all the things he constantly told me - he was god I was just here to adore him and be at his beck and call I was a mere femaile - as where the kids - little slaves to get his beer as he stayed on the puter playing his games or researching his porn sites which left a trail but he constantly denied. Then when we broke up the rot he told the kids about my illness and still does to this day and tries to use it against me constantly - i have learnt that is his nature and he also  has an mental illness one that has little hope of cure because his ego will never allow him to admit he has one, but it tears me apart with how he uses it and his lies to manipulate the kids - but as long as I stay on my meds I can cope and he cant send me back to the brinck and I can hopefully counteract some of what he does to the kids and be here for them as they come to realise their father is a very sick man.

Is an illness, if your son is medicated remind him that its simply part of life same as if he were diabetic or had a heart condition. Teenage behaviour is erratic from happy and chatting to sullen and withdrawn and yes it is hard to tell the difference between this and bipolar. I would suggest you keep a diary of noticeable behaviour changes and watch for changes in environment that could affect moods eg fight with a mate. The key will be to keep open communication. If he comes home frustrated/angry/sullen its ok to ask what’s up and if the response is ‘the world sucks’ gentle probe….oh why’s that? Bipolar high fast talking, compulsive urges etc don’t come associated with drug related highs of slurred speech and red eyes. Again keep a diary this will help you monitor the cycles, if he’s been in high mode for a while and drops you can manage better knowing from your diary that this is what’s happening rather than stressing because you don’t know why he’s suddenly switched. Encourage him to eat well, drink plenty of water and if you can at least ½ hr brisk walk, as a family  with the dog as exercise naturally releases the endorphins that help you feel better.

Hi Lexiw,

I wish I could give advice, but I don't think I have the answes! My 16 year old son is currently getting help from the local child and adolescent mental health service here, but as yet we've had no diagnosis. He does have highs and lows, he's also had anxiety that has kept him off school for 2.5 months, although he's back there now. He sometimes says he's bi polar, and when he does, he almost sounds proud of it. My sister is bi polar and life has been a struggle for her.

What I find hardest at the moment is, as you said, knowing what is "normal" teenage behaviour that should just be responded to firmly and calmly, and what may be due to an underlying mental health problem. It's really difficult to know how to respond to him sometimes as he can over react terribly and it is impossible to predict when this might happen.

The only help I've found is to work hard to keep myself centred. If I'm feeling strong and calm I find that I can respond better. If I respond better then small issues don't become big issues. It sounds so simple as to be almost patronising, but I find I do have to remind myself of this frequently.

Good luck!

Hi I have only just gotten on to the minti sight,I have had bi -polar all my life and when i have more brain cells active(it's too late now)I will do a little write up that may or may not help.Regards Breannababy

i've known several people who have been diagnosed with bipolar who are very self-sufficient, healthy and successful.  the key for most of these friends has been the right mix of medication, therapy and lots and lots of support in place.   i know that this disorder can also be devastating, but there is definitely hope.