Bipolar is an illness....... not a personality flaw

[jazzmonkey]

I have seen on here too many times that a parent is bipolar so they are worthless. Please stop this. It is a pepetuation of a stero type that mental illness is okay to use as a dehumanizing tool. People use to use race the same way. Not once have I seen on here that "oh parent a has diabetes so they are worthless. " Did you know that a majority of Americans suffer from some form of mental illness or personality disorder. That it affects every family in one way or other. That if one parent has it than there is a strong chance that the skid that you love like your own will either have it or have a child with it. That in the '50's people with cancer were talked about in the same way as people with mental illness are today. It is the last bastion of socially acceptable bigotry. If mental illness affects your family get educated, yes if BM is actually bipolar than SM needs to get educated. NAMI online is a good place to start. Thank you for reading this.

[rainmommy]

being bp myself i kopw sthe stiggma that comes with it but in my case bm claims to be bp but i dont think she i think it a exscuse to be a bitch cause not once has she ever been hospitalized medicated or even see a therapist for it well ive been through hell in back since ive been diagnoised

[cc77]

I have done some research on being BiPolar because we found out that BM new DH is bipolar.  My concern is that he chooses to not take his meds and then has huge angry outburst with BM and they throw things. 

Since you are bipolar can you tell us more about what it is like?  What happens if you don't take meds?  What does it feel like on/off meds?  SF is an artist and I think he sometimes goes off meds so he can create art.  It does worry me.  It worries me for my SD's safety. 

I don't bash any illness, but I do get upset with those that have an illness and choose not to take care of themselves responsibly especially when children are involved.

[vintagebikegirl]

Agreed. We deal with this on a daily basis.

[looneytunes290]

I have lived with someone who is bipolar so I completely understand the cause for concern of children being raised by someone who is bipolar and does not have their symptoms under control. Should it be used lightly or like the person has a personality flaw- nope but if someone wa diabetic didn't take care of themselves and passed out often would that person need to be a primary care giver for children- nope. Actually the only person I have ever called cps about was a diabetic who passed out behind the wheel with her 4 yo grandchild in the car- no one was hurt but could have been. My husbands ex has had some strong bipolar symptoms in the past and at times has made her kids and our lives living hell. Through all that we still feel sorry for her- anyway its sometimes used to describe someone's behavior.

[HopesNDreams]

 BP is an illness and should be regarded as such.  However, I have yet to hear of a person withndiabetes or other chronic physical illness sufferer going off their meds regularly and abusing their kids...or neglecting them....or engaging in dangerous behvaiors around them...or the ongoing destructive things that happen continually when a bipolar individual is off of their meds.  It is a disease and it is tragic, but the line gets drawn when innocent children suffer because a person with this diagnosis thinks they 'can handle life without their meds.'  This is true of any mental illness - it's the CHOICE to not help themselves and then punish others that frustrates people.  I have no sympathy for that - especially when children suffer as a result.

[ShannaBee]

This.

Quoting HopesNDreams:

 BP is an illness and should be regarded as such.  However, I have yet to hear of a diabetes or other chronic physical illness sufferer going off their meds regularly and abusing their kids...or neglecting them....or engaging in dangerous behvaiors around them...or the ongoing destructive things that happen continually when a bipolar individual is off of their meds.  It is a disease and it is tragic, but the line gets drawn when innocent children suffer because a person with this diagnosis thinks they 'can handle life without their meds.'  This is true of any mental illness - it's the CHOICE to not help themselves and then punish others that frustrates people.  I have no sympathy for that - especially when children suffer as a result.

[rainmommy]

being bp is like living with a monster. you never know what the day is going to bring. for me being bp off my meds means i get to the point where i cant stand myself or anything around me. i was diagnosed 6yrs ago, i have been hospitalized 6x. its taking me a long time to find what works for me. the best advice i can give to someone who has bp or someone who lives with a loved one with bp is dont be afraid to speak up about the side effects of meds and if you dont like your therapist. ive known to many people who say well i didnt like the meds or the therapist. there are hundreds of meds and therapist out there its takes a long time to find the right combo. also pay attention to the symptoms and triggers that set off a manic episode. sooner or later if the person with bp pays attention they can learn how to manage their trigger and keep the episodes down to a dull roar. you can always inbox me if you wanna know more

[Ms.Gwen]

I am concerned when any sick person in care of a child is not properly managing their illness.

[Tryshx]

I'm bipolar type 1.  I cycle to full manic episodes sometimes, but that doesn't mean my SS is ever neglected, when I'm manic it means I don't sleep or eat much and the apartment gets scrubbed from top to bottom, the kitchen may get reorganized, etc.  I don't fall into many depressions, but I can tell when my mood's going to change it's a specific feeling.  No I'm not currently being medicated, but I'm also in the process of finding a new doctor.

I also have PTSD, also a disease, also not my fault for having, and also doesn't make me unfit to be in a child's life.  Both BM and DH in my situation are bipolar.  BM is unmedicated, DH is in the process of finding the right meds.

[weirdkids]

im bipolar.... my ss bm is bipolar, my own mother probably is but has never seen a shrink. my ex is bipolar. come to think of it,, most of the people i know are bipolar. its all about how you manage it