Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
My mom's bipolar. Severeley so. She had to quit her job, I'm now supporting both of us, had to give up school to work full time, the whole shebang. In and out of hospitals, mental, physical and verbal abuse, ECT appointment after appointment, just this never-ending hell.
She's been bipolar as long as I can remember, but it's just started getting life-alteringly severe in the past two to three years. I came downstairs tonight, pulled up Firefox, and lo and behold, she had been googling things like "suicide methods" and "how to kill yourself."
Just desperate to know I'm not alone in this. Does anyone out there know how I feel? Can you tell me how you coped?
She's been bipolar as long as I can remember, but it's just started getting life-alteringly severe in the past two to three years. I came downstairs tonight, pulled up Firefox, and lo and behold, she had been googling things like "suicide methods" and "how to kill yourself."
Just desperate to know I'm not alone in this. Does anyone out there know how I feel? Can you tell me how you coped?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
The only way I cope is to emotionally detach myself.
my mum is BP too. I have nightmares about her loosing her job...it would be hard for her to get fired, but she's gotten in trouble before and had to move to a different location.
i can't imagine how hard it is to be that involved with my mum. I'm away at school now and she's begun to have another episode...there's not a chance i'm going to give up my education. It's the only thing i ever wanted for myself.
Are there other family members you could talk to about this?
There's got to be some financial help she can get b/c of the current situation no?
I don't have the best coping skills... But i've been trying, funny youtube videos, exersize, stone carving, journaling, free association writing, ranting here, cuddles with pets, constant drawing/painting, and i recently started talking to friends about it. I did a lil bit of detaching as well, gods that's hard to do =/ but it's important i think.
You not alone *hugz* there are some great peeps here, don't be afraid to reach out to them. Can you talk to her pdoc about what you found on the computer?
Sorry you are in such a gnarly situation right now...you can't help who your parents are, and you definitely don't deserve so much drama in your life! (My dad is BP but not as severe.)
I'm curious why you are the primary caregiver for your mother. I know you love her and she probably pushes all your buttons in an attempt to control your behavior. But you are the child, not the parent or the partner, and you owe it to yourself to become a healthy, independent adult. Her craziness will drive you crazy if you continue to stay with her.
If she really is threatening suicide, maybe you can get her hospitalized for a while until she cools off. It will give you a much-needed break, too.
I strongly encourage you to move out when you can. Go back to school, get an apartment with friends... Immerse yourself in people who have healthy habits and communicate fairly & rationally...you need some time and distance to heal yourself so you won't keep getting drawn back into relationships fraught with chaos and instability .
You don't have to shoulder this burden all by yourself. If the rest of the family won't help out, then maybe look into social services that can. What does her doctor say about options for group homes, etc?
It's really good that you are reaching out. Don't let yourself be isolated.
Hugs!