how am I supposed to deal with successfully raising children while coping with my bipolar disorder?”
Bipolar Parenting by Mara McWilliams As a mother who is also bipolar, I have searched the Internet for web sites geared toward helping parents diagnosed with bipolar disorder; I have yet to find one. I believe it would make a big difference if one existed. We all have found, over the years, that sharing our experiences with those who are or have experienced the same thing is healing and therapeutic for all parties involved. The first Twelve Step program was founded on that basic principle. In this situation, it would be one bipolar parent helping another, and so on. I know that as a person raised in a co-dependent, oppressive environment, I don’t want to raise my child in a similar atmosphere. It is important that I raise an independent, responsible, brave young woman who is aware of her boundaries. I am aware that my daughter might be prone to assume the role of caretaker or codependent. It is my responsibility, regardless of my diagnosis, to make sure that doesn’t happen. My child is
Meds, when prescribed correctly, give you enough room to breathe so that you can control your problem. They don’t stop your problem and it is still UP TO YOU to deal with your problems. Even if medication works it usually does not it’ll be easy to control your actions. Most people with psychiatric problems are used to a state of existence where they give up on a lot of things and it’s really easy to stop trying because it seams impossible. In your case the problem is alleviated by the fact that you have 3 kids that you have to raise an be a model to. If you really want to do a good job the first thing is to accept yourself just the way you are. What this means is that you should accept that you have a problem and would never be perfect ( just like every other parent ). Act the way you would like for your children to act and when you feel a change of mood coming either leave the house for an hour or two or if that’s not possible engage in some private activity. You should not go and exp
