How to deal with a bi-polar mom?

Question

My mom has bipolar and right now she is still manipulative enough to portray "normal" behavior, although she has lost her job and cut off contact with anyone except her children. She is still taking care of herself, eating, paying bills, general hygiene, but dealing with the depressive side of her is slowing depressing me. I recently blew up at her and part of it was plain old mother daughter issues but the other part was your crazy azz is killing me issues. Right now its a waiting game before the law can step in but what do I do until then? Also between my other sibling I am the only one who "monitors" my mother for health and to reach that point when the law can step in, my other sibling does not believe she is sick, and my mother lives in a different state then me.

Answer 1

Being a severe bipolar myself - It one of the most interesting, but one of most terrible disease to live with!
Unless people are considerate enough to research it they will never understand it!
Even understanding SOME of it - It cannot be controlled. Medication helps with SOME stability, but being bipolar the medication being immuned very quickly.
She is doing great by taking care of herself, eating right, hygiene, etc.
With bipolar it is a mood that can come and go throughout the Moment, Day, or situation!
Please don't take too much upon yourself as it is a draining condition - especially from the person with it!
But I must Tell You Thank you for being understanding. It's very rare that people are there for ones like this! It is so trying! People cannot handle it - They want to deny it exists...
My grown children went through heck when I raised them (I didn't have a diagnosis's then)
Now, they also live in other states, when we have contact they only want to, can only handle that I'M FINE, I'M DOING WELL - we don't discuss who I really am or what I'm going through!
When I am out of sorts, I say I don't feel well! Some know what I'm talking about, most don't care = I don't care that they care or not!
I've learned to accept this is who I am, I do my best to maintain!
If you'd like to keep in contact please email me!
Again, thank you for being someone who's taking the time to understand the disease!

Answer 2

1st permit me say that i'm by means of NO MEANs making any analysis of her . i'm simply looking to supply you understanding that could aid appreciate what is going on to her and the movements she takes that she are not able to manipulate and might real no longer be entirely conscious that she is commiting or to the measure wherein she takes it . the suicidal tendency's may also be very truly with bi polar and are displayed in quite a lot of stages of emotion . the extent levels from the ones which might be a method to get awareness due to the fact the man or woman might feel a few situation deep within they're in difficulty and cant or do not know the way to mention they want aid , to the opposite finish of the spectrum wherein she real needs to die at that factor in time . Keep in brain she would soar from one finish of that spectrum to the opposite ends of that spectrum at any given time as with manic despair . there may be in lots of circumstances a further situation which will acompany a bipolar situation . This situation is referred to as Borderline Personality Disorder. Please appear that one up on Google to get a greater knowledge of that situation . Either approach if she is real Bi Polar then no, she is not only doing matters completely to get awareness .. and prefer an alcoholic, she's going to have got to hit rock backside earlier than she takes her situation severely (if she is ever equipped to look it for her self) .. therapy will simplest paintings for her while she starts to take the situation severely.. until you then must search out a help institution for your self , and a few counseling to study the right way to reside along with her situation and the outcome it has for your lifestyles, Keep loving her, status by means of her and instruct yourself on her situation in each and every approach to be had to you . Good Luck and hold in there

Answer 3

Sorry to hear of your problems. My brother is bi-polar (or so we think -- he refuses any kind of treatment), has been unemployed for 6 years and has been living with my parents for the last 4, so I feel your pain. The only thing I can suggest is to try to get her professional help. Send some information on bi-polar disorder to your siblings and perhaps they will change their mind and rally around you -- you shouldn't be taking on your mother by yourself. This should be a family-wide effort to help her.

Answer 4

She isn't acting like that to hurt you. Depression isn't something she can control. She can be happy one minute then all of a sudden become sad and cry for no apparant reason.She feels like nobody cares and that life isn't worth liviing. If you want to help her be a good shoulder for her to lean on. If you call her crazy or put her down for it that just makes it worse.

Answer 5

Contact NAMI for help.. They can help her and most definitely help you...

I believe NAMI stands for National Association for Mental Illness, I may b a little off on the exact verbiage.

Good Luck and remain strong.

Answer 6

explain just how serious the matter is to your siblings. tell them that she took care of you all for how many years and its time for them to help take care of her :)

Answer 7

Give her a swift kick in the ovaries.

Answer 8

If you are up for it, get some counseling yourself and see if she will go for joint counseling with you.

Answer 9

send her to a looney bin

Answer 10

doctor and medication