2006-10-22 10:46:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I am 38 and am bipolar and add. I have 7 kids, 2 of which are bp/add. I've been married 16 years. I must say, regular medication management is a must. Therapy when needed. Parenting skills differ for each child. What works for one, will not work for the other. Patience and laughter is a must.
If a kid wants to wear his pajamas under his church clothes, let him. If he insists on you cutting all the tags out of his clothes, no biggie, do it if it will make life easier.
Most the time, you never know what will set a bp person off. Love and patience and a good sense of humor will help. Sometimes you have to try different meds to find the right dose or the right combination. Hopefully you can also get a psychiatrist you can trust.
In my large family, it is always exciting. There have been ups and downs, it has been a struggle for me as a bipolar mom. But my meds help me cope and I am a better parent and am better able to understand what my two bipolar sons go through. Therapy helps me learn about my emotions and how to effectively identify them and how to be a better parent and marriage counseling is always beneficial in any situation where there are challenges.
Good luck!
2006-10-22 11:11:15 · answer #1 · answered by 7aliens 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the bipolar patient, medication is the only option, along with therapy to understand the disease and symptoms to look for. This is not something that you outgrow or will go away. It is a chemical imbalance in a certain area of the brain that causes alteration in moods. Managing bipolar disease is difficult because many patients are not compliant with the medication regimen. The "highs" are euphoric and you want to stay there. So you don't want to take the meds to level it off. The lows are VERY low and not easy to treat if med compliance is a problem. There are, however, success stories. I have seen people live fairly normal lives provided they stay on their meds faithfully. This is a must! I have been bipolar most of my life and didn't know it. Just thought I was "crazy" and so did others! Now that I'm on the right medication, life is much better and clearer. Family or a close support group is essential. When you are with others who understand, you are more comfortable.
2006-10-22 18:01:21 · answer #2 · answered by RBRN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have Bipolar and the hardest thing for me was staying on medication. I have had two children and had to go off meds for both and it was not pleasant. So now I'm aware of how very important is for me to stay on my meds. I'm very stable and very happy. But sometimes you just have an episode and you cant control it. You just have to manage it that's the key. That how i successed with it. Its never going to go away. And i accept that. I also have ocd. So i have a little more on my plate.
2006-10-22 18:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by sweetsnickers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found the toughest challenge is keeping them on their meds. Once they start feeling well , they manage to rationalize that they are great and no longer need to be on medicine. However everyone else knows they feel well due to the meds. If they can keep on their meds their not to bad to deal with.
2006-10-22 17:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by Skanky McSkankypants 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, we're still together after 20 years. I was diagnosed 18 months ago and am responding well to meds.
Come to http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven and see how the rest of us do.
2006-10-24 12:56:04 · answer #5 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋