Anyone Bipolar dealing with parents?

Question

so in having bipolar my parents have seen my ups and downs. However sometimes whenever im pissed they think oh it must be the bipolar. If im crying or sad it must be the bipolar nevermind the person who is dealing with it for 24/7. My parents see me as bipolar and whenever I tell them what i want to do they expect me to change my mind. Now I love my parents but sometimes they cant even help themselves. Thats why I dont go to them. I guess the truth is I wish I could and I know for a fact that they themeselves are confused. My mom has talked about leaving my dad. In any event I cant go to them Im stuck with my pseudo family of mental healthcare professionals. Its hard and everything hurts. Anyone have this problem or have any tips?

Answer 1

Hi I just wanted to say that I've dealt with what you're going through. I can't offer you a quick fix, but you must explain to your parents that what you have is a mood disorder, and that just because you have that disorder does not mean that every mood you have has to do with your bipolar. Have you heard of the term mood congruent? Say you're really upset because someone took something of yours. Well, that's mood congruent. You felt that way because some took something that belonged to you. Whereas say you aced an exam, or scored the winning point of the game, but you come home and you cry your eyes out. That's incongruence because ordinarily you might have been really proud of your accomplishment. Bipolar is the mood swings and moods that are not congruent to our life situations. Just so you know I was diagnosed with Bipolar 5 yrs. ago. My parents did the same thing.

Answer 2

That is a shame that your parents seem to see your mood disorder over who you are. Are you stable, are you on your medications? I know i often get asked just what do I want out of my daughters medications. I want her to be stable. Yup that means we all have highs and lows, she still has her days that she drives me nuts (she is only 11). But that is her. Today I want to strangle her........ :-) But my favourite saying is 'That is life with Shania'. Bipolar is part of who she is, but it is not what she is.

Like i said in my other answer, look for some on line and local supports. When my daughter was diagnosed (3 years of age) I felt very alone. Living out in the country and with such a rare thing in such a young kid, the Internet was what got me through.

Again good luck, find supports for you and determine just what you need, and do not need, to do with your parents involvement, some times that is not always the best support.