Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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HannaHana 04/27/2011

I am a Mom. I clean up mess after mess after mess. I may not cook the most elaborate meals, I may have made some mistakes, I may not be the greatest person for job. My day consists of getting my children up and ready for school, cleaning up after my children, doing laundry (even though I really don't want to do any of this), then ensuring that my children get to their appointments, do their homework, take showers/baths, feed them dinner....then deal with the repercussions of the result of any one of my son's 4 MEDICALLY DIAGNOSED MENTAL ILLNESSES, paperwork to get any/all assistance possible for my children, answer questions about "where is Daddy?", "Why are you always so tired?" and "When we have money, can we get _____?"

Tell me. Do I think too much about myself? No really. Am "I" the center of my universe?

doorknob 04/27/2011

I think you are very stressed out. You are doing all the right things for your children but even parents need a break.

Where is your family? Can they chip in and give you a break?

If not start looking up your resources in your nearest phone book and calling all the numbers of services you think you might need. I know some recreation centers have free services available to low income families you may be able to spend a couple of hours there so that they are kept busy and you can take a deep breath.

Single parenting is hard enough let alone when your children have mental illnesses and "issues"

deleted_user 04/27/2011

Your son quaifies for Social Security Income to help pay the bills and help his life. He also can get an IEP for school which helps him protect his God given rights.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

i agree with Doorknob. you sound overwhelmed and like you could use some support. and no, you don't sound self centered.

HannaHana 04/27/2011

I am stressed out. I called a friend today to vent and get some encouragement. Instead she told me it was "time to open my eyes and stop thinking about myself".

My son has ADHD, ODD, Bipolar and RAD. He lies about everything, and I've been getting threats for CPS to be called due to the things he's saying. He has had an IEP since preschool, and we do get SSDI.

I'm over income limits for just about every service I've applied for. I can't even get my daughter health insurance.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

NO!!! YOU are talking care of YOUR children, & it sounds to me although you might struggle, like evey other parent out there, your doin pretty damn good.

HUGS, go easy on yourself, your doin this alone.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

As my senior boredom waxes nostalgic over this phase of my life, I seem to recall days - weeks? months? - when taking the time to brush my own teeth instead of somebody else's made me feel like the most selfish person in the world. When I didn't take the time to take care of myself, I think I really did turn into an unreasonable shrew. It was hard to be reasonable when I felt like a black hole of personal need.

No, you are not the center of the universe, but all Mother Earth's creatures have basic needs which much be met before they can take care of others. Welcome to the planet. Please, take care of yourself. Your kids are decades from understanding this, but taking care of you is an essential part of taking care of them.

And, for what it is worth, you really will miss this...

deleted_user 04/27/2011

Hanna.....Your just doing your job as a mother.....But taking care of anything is harder with bi-polar, shit, I can barely take care of myself. Your so called friend sounds like a nitwit and does not know what they are talking about.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

sounds like the kids are the center of your universe, which is how it should be. you have one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and it sounds like you're doing pretty awesome at it.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

Let me take a wild guess here... your friend does not have children?

In any case that was a totally inappropriate comment. I'm sorry you are so stressed.

deleted_user 04/27/2011

Girl, give yourself a pat on the back, you are doing this on your own, I think you are doing everything you can in your capacity for your kids and your doing awesome in my opinion. I think you need more support than you're getting, kudos to you hun for how strong you are (((hugs))))

deleted_user 04/27/2011

im with pandora.. i wanna know, does she have kids too.. short of telling her to "fuck off" and "thanks for being a friend" I have no good advise for the friendship.

single moms are my hero. i am one, its a full time job and if you are the center of your universe, you are doing it right. i put myself last so often, i finally endangered my life doing so. we have to be a high priority on our list or we may not be healthy for long. keep your chin up and fuck the haters, until they walk a mile in your shoes they have no right to make judgments

surferchica 04/27/2011

I think you are trying to survive a totally raw and difficult, challenging and (perhaps) shameful situation. I don't think there should be any shame--but often, others project this to you, at least that was my experience when in poverty and with having children with special needs.

Don't be hard on yourself for having desires and dreams, thinking everything through and maybe being a little obsessive. But your children mean the world to you, don't they? You can't really complain out loud--for who would hear except the little ears--and you don't want to hurt them.

You need a safe place to vent. I am imagining how much you deal with on a daily basis. You are doing really, really awesome! You should wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug from me. I am proud of you.

deleted_user 04/28/2011

I'd get some helping people from church or family if you can, or maybe an after school program.

You deserve, truly, an award for what you do. Honestly, without my husband, I could not raise my son.

Kudos!!

EKC

deleted_user 04/28/2011

I do the exact same things for my nieces three babies -- ages 5, 3, and 1. BUT, I get to go home at 5pm everyday.

I think you should pat yourself on the back. As rewarding as children are, they are also exhausting and all-consuming.

Also, children (in my experience) can't comprehend about money. You could buy them a new something everyday, and you would still get the questions.

I really admire what you do, and NO, you obviously are not the center of your universe. MK

P.S. You need an Aunt Magic to help you out. Do you have anyone like that in your life?

deleted_user 04/28/2011

Motherhood is the hardest job in the world. You are the center of "their" universe. WHAT an awesome thing. Sounds like your a great mother. Hats off to you. And no you are not too much about yourself but do be sure to be kind to you. You deserve it. We all do.

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