thebipolarparent

The Bipolar Parent is an extension of my personal experience with bipolar disorder to readers who have or know someone with bipolar disorder.  I am, however, compacting this subject into knowledge that will be helpful to the bipolar parent.  Parenting is difficult as it is, but having a mental illness on top of this enormous responsibility takes a certain quality of character that the average parent need not possess.  From the perils of depression to the elusive madness of mania, bipolar is a constant source of aggravation, as well as acute pain, to the people who suffer from this illness.  With the proper tools, however, this is a survivable illness and, unlike our mothers and grandmothers, bipolar is no longer a virtually undetectable disease that, if indeed detected, should force its victims into the closet of shame.  Medication does work but it can take time to find the medication that works for you.  Although there will be moments of fear and apprehension, whether because you are relapsing or your current course of medication simply is not working, you will find your way to mental health.

The Bipolar Parent must be properly educated about their illness in order to avoid making some very common parental mistakes.  The terrible agitation that often accompanies mania is easy to take out on the person nearest to you.  You must know the signs that an episode is approaching and you must also know when it is time to walk away from the source of the agitation in order to sustain your composure.  Many children will wonder why one of their parents behaves the way that they do, they may even see the signs when the parent themselves cannot.  Children of bipolar parents should also be educated on the nature of this illness so they too can cope with its consequences.  A child should be made to understand the symptoms of bipolar so they do not make the mistake of internalizing your illness and blaming themselves for your behavior.  As we all know, bipolar can make us do and say things that we do not mean and the people around us can suffer terribly because of our moods.  Education combined with communication will help the bipolar parent sustain their mental health while also providing a stable and loving environment for their children.