Is there anyone bipolar who is dealing with parents?

Question

If so have yours tried to understand bipolar? Do they expect you can be cured? Do any of your emotions or desires come across to them as being bipolar? I know my parents have enough of their own issues. How do I stop secretly hoping they will finally understand what I deal with?I understand where they come from and I know they love me its just they arent exactly a good shoulder to lean on. They have issues that are too great. I need stability.

Answer 1

I am going to answer this from the parents end.

First off, your parents are probably having a very hard time dealing with your diagnosis and what it says about them. Bipolar is a genetic condition, they could very easily be in denial, anger, what ever. As a result of it being a genetic problem, yes, your parents, one or both may be battling their own personal mental illness (diagnosed or not).

I know that I have had parents approach me and ask if I feel that I can have a better handle on and deal with my daughters mental illness (and other genetic issues) because she is adopted. Yes, there is a strong probability that I can and do look at it differently. I have not contributed to any of her problems, I bear NO responsibility. These other parents have told me that they feel guilty, lost, alone, afraid. Yes, I feel some of it, but no blame!!!

Though none of the above are good reasons, they could be all a apart of why your parents don't want to deal with or accept your problem. My dry alcoholic husbands parents never did accept that he had ever had any problems, because than they would have to look at themselves.

I wish you luck. You may need to find that support outside of your family. You do not say if you are an adult or child, but regardless, there should be soem good support groups out there. Find people who do know and understand. Mental illness is so miss-understood and still feared. It is a shame. Look on the computer for online support groups. Yahoo would have some, NAMI and more.. Good luck, you are in a tough spot and some parents NEVER come around, hopefully yours will.