What do you dou when you are a teen trying to cope with a bipolar Dad?
363635
A bit of separation is probably required, but if you need to stay in close contact, make sure your dad is regulating his condition with proper medication (Lithium, etc.) Try to avoid your father when he is in a depressive state and try to prevent him from making poor decisions when he is manic.
1089340
My dad was depressed as well, so is my mom. My Dad drank himself to death and my mom almost killed herself. I on the other hand am not depresed. There isnt much you  can do because it has to do with chemicals in the brain. They do have drugs like prozac, that do help. Exercise may also cure depression. Stay close to your dad and let him know he has your support. Try not to get pissed at him or nething over it. Its all in his mind. You will find if you havnt already that fighting does not solve nething its better to walk away. I know its probably rough, but stand strong!!
1179815
Tell him that because of the years spent barely talking from the age of 13 to 18 you cannot just jump into the daddy daughter relationship the way he would like.\nTell him how hurt and unhappy losing him at 13 felt and tell him that it is going to be a long, slow process of building new bridges and learning to trust him again to get back to how it was.\nTell him you're an adult now and the relationship will never be how it was but if he's truly sorry for pulling away from you like that then you are willing to try to get a closer relationship with him now.
66541
bi-polar disorder is also marked by periods of extreme activity.  You may go days without sleeping or sleeping very little.  Look up mania in the dictionary to get an idea.  But you do sound as though you have a good case of depression.  Problems with your step-dad that you feel helpless or incapable of doing anything about would surely contribute to feeling the way you do.  You say your brother and grandma "were" bipolar.  Are they no longer with you?  You need to talk to someone about your feelings.  There is nothing "wrong" with you but feeling the way you do can hurt just as bad as a physical ailment and can be hereditary.  I don't know what your health insurance situation is like but I really think you need to talk to someone with some experience dealing with depression.  Your mother should not consider this a phase and support you getting help with your feelings.  Feeling suicidal is NOT a phase and I say that with alot of experience to back it up.  I had a friend kill himself in high school and we all saw it coming.  If you're young enough to still be in school I would recommend talking to a guidance counselor or psychology clinic if you're in college (that should be in the psychology department, the tiny college here has one so I'm guessing most others do too).  If you need an extra ear mine is available at whtkrst@yahoo.com.  I'm a mom of 5 kids and I was once a kid with step-parent problems myself that made me want to exit the planet.  If you look in the phone book there should be toll free numbers for crisis/suicide hotlines.  The people on the other end really do want to help and you shouldn't feel embarassed to call or to actively seek help for yourself.  You deserve it.    \n                                love and light,\n                                   Krista
835143
Your 18 do what you want...Dad will get over it...
455066
My mother was bipolar and had to take Lithium all of her life.  This was something that she was born with and finally when she was in her early thirties she was diagnosed and received treatment.  She suffered a lot in her life, but once she got medication and therapy to understand her mental illness, she was more able to cope and be happier in her life.  It was 1972 when she started Lithium.  Today doctors know so much more about this illnes which stems from having a chemical inbalance.  I think it is a good thing that your son has been diagnosed now instead of years form now.  He will be in treatment and he will be helped.  Early intervention is on his side.  Be thankful that he is getting help now and hopefully will be avoiding years of unbearable pain.  Before my mother was diagnosed she tried multiple ties to commit suicide.  I am hopeful that your son won't go through that because he is getting help now!  He will learn with the help of therapy and faithfully taking his medications how to cope with this.  As far as you feeling guilty, this is a normal reaction considering he is your son, your flesh and blood.  But, the truth of the matter is that you are not to blame.  He was born with this.  It has to do with the makeup of the brain. You are being supportive and doing the right thing to let the professionals take over at this point.  Remember, you got him the help that he needs.  You love him and you'll be there for him.  I hope this helps you.  Hang in there, you sound like a good mom!
626497
I have Bipolar Disorder and Borederline Personality Disorder. You have to be nice and be very supported to our mental health prolbems. It helps my family to take me to talk to somebody like every other week. Just read up on the disorders. And make sure he takes his meds. I once got off mine meds for 4 or 5 days and it made me sick.
757380
Listen to your mom.  I know it can be very hard to have feelings for someone, or something, that you just don't have feelings for.  But, in the case of your dad, as long as you give him respect, that will be good enough for now.  It doesn't matter if you love him or not, just go through the motions and see what happens.  One day you will marry and hopefully have children of your own.  You will want to live by example.  What you are doing for your father, even though he may totally not deserve it, will help you be a good teacher to your children. You will feel good about yourself and you won't look back with regret. He may not have been there for you, but you certainly don't ever want to be like him.  And by cutting him off, you would (in a way) be like him.  Don't do that to yourself, your family, or anyone else.  \n\nYou sound like you have a good heart and you want to do what's right.  It won't be easy, but it will pay off in the end.  Also, it's very common for teens to get mad at their parents...especially one who hasn't "been there" for them.  Why your dad didn't work harder on a relationship with you all these years, I don't know.  But my guess is he has treated you the same way he was treated by his own dad while he was growing up.  So I will repeat myself and say "Don't become like your dad."  This type of thing has a tendency to be passed down from generation to generation.  \n\nJust show respect to your dad.  Also, try to do something nice for him.  You may not want to at first, but when you see how he reacts, it will make you feel good.  And do it even if you feel he doesn't deserve it.  He will be happily surprised, and maybe even a feel a little guilty.  Surely he knows you have been upset with him.  Maybe he doesn't know how to make the relationship right. But, since you have a heart to try to work this out, one way or another, you may be the one that gets it back on track. How good you can, and will, feel about doing that.  \n\nGive your dad a second chance and see how he changes. But don't expect it to happen overnight.  After awhile, you will wonder how you ever "didn't love him" and eventually be so thankful that you "do love him."  You will be blessed in more ways than you know if you and your dad work through this.
373549
Just tell them about how you feel. Tell them if anyone else in the family has depression or bipolar disorder because sometimes it runs in the family. It is important to tell your doctor though, because they can help you. My son and I both have depression, and my ex has bi-polar. We take medication and it helps a whole lot. It wasn't hard to talk to my doctor at all.
806814
First of all, you need to set some time aside for yourself.  Whether you slate that time once a week (a few hours, same day/time each week) or once per day for one hour, you must take time for yourself.  As mothers, we are quick to come to the aid of our family, their needs.  If you think about it, your family's needs will never be met at the same time EVER.  There are more and more needs that we attend to, avoiding taking that time we need for sanity.\n\nThere is a good book, called, "Women Who Do Too Much".  Please read it.\n\nIf you are married, it is necessary for you to speak with your husband about some time to yourself.  Even if it means going to the local bookstore for a cup of coffee and a magazine, you must do it!  It doesn't matter WHAT you do with this scheduled time, but it can't be an errand for someone else's benefit.  It must be YOU time.\n\nAre you getting any help for your special needs son?  Do all the children in your family understand the needs of this child?  Is this child getting any time with you, alone, to be the center of your attention?  Each of your children need "alone time" with you (and your husband if you have one).  I would make a large calendar, hang it on the wall, and write in when you will spend time with each child, your husband (alone), and as a family, and then you need to write on that calendar, the time you will spend away from home ALONE.\n\nTeenagers are very difficult to understand.  You are not alone in feeling frustrated.  Counseling can take a long time to show results, especially if your daughter is a teenager.  A teen's hormones really do make them difficult to understand.  The most important thing for you to know about this, is your daughter can't help some of the way she behaves/reacts.  Make sure you are spending time with her alone, every week (even an hour - schedule it on your calendar).  Stay with the counseling and make sure you are communicating with the counselor.  Ask the counselor if he/she sees any measurable results out of the counseling effort.  If your daughter has been in counseling for more than a few months, it may be time to try a new counselor.  All counselors are not created equally.\n\nJust because your 11 and 12 year old sons are "doing well", does not mean they don't need your attention as much as your special needs little guy, and your teenage daughter.  They need to spend alone time with you also, and get the attention they deserve, too.\n\nIt's not easy being a Mom.  I have four children and I can tell you that you have many sleepless nights ahead of you.  It is all completely worth your effort.\n\nYou and your husband need to make a schedule -- and make sure the two of you are getting enough alone time also.  Your marriage is a forever thing, and your kids will all grow up and move toward independence (and leaving your home).\n\nGood luck.  Make that schedule and stick with it, no matter what.  Take deep breaths and read that book I mentioned.
725393
Education. Read the Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Amazon link below). It's an excellent book on th esubject, and will give you a very good idea what to expect and how to deal with it.\n\nYou should also visit one of the many online support groups below.
902736
My husband also is bipolar. If he is not getting treatment; (which it sounds like even if he is, it is not effective); then do not pursue the relationship. Things will only get worse. With effective treatment (medication) and counseling you both can have a happy, stable relationship within which to raise your child. Placing God into that equation will really give you a head start.\nCheck out mayclinic.com for more info on bipolar symptoms and treatment. Good luck, and congratulations on you baby.
239823
Did you know that gambling is one symptom of Bipolar Disorder (formerly called Manic Depression). Also, irritability and mood swings are symptoms for Bipolar Disorder. You need to get your father an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as possible. If he gets worse before the appointment, take him to the emergency room. Your father needs medical attention. Mental Illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It's usually a chemical imbalance in the brain or as you have said child abuse while growing up. He also needs to see a clinical psychologist. The psychiatrist can refer you to one. If you don't have insurance, call your local mental health center and get him an appointment as soon as possible. Good luck.
1101162
I just wanted to say I am very sorry this happened to you. BIPOLAR disorder is a very serious and sad condition. I suffered with it for several years, and i Know how tuff it is. When you have bipolar disorder, you attach to people very easily because they are one of the only things that make you feel important. be proud of yourself because you were the light in his life for a period of time. Its not your fault he took his life, he had a disorder that made it hard for him to make good decisions. You where what made him happy, remember that, cause you gave him hope. You made his life happy while he was here. God Bless you, hope i have helped.
1145561
find someplace "neutral" and private such as... take him for a drive and go for a walk in the park, on the beach, a hike in the forest.... somewhere peaceful you can talk without having to just stare at eachother (like at the dinner table). \n\nthis will be hard for him so somewhere with some solitude where can "take it all in" in peace and privacy while being physically active like walking will help him through the moment. \n\nalso if he gets angry, yells, walks away to cool off, cries, hugs you, tells he loves you.... whatever... he can do it at his own pace. \n\ntell him directly, don't beat around the bush... men relate to directness and franknes... then let him take it from there... even if he doesn't say anything at first... let him take it in and go from there. \n\nhe's your dad, he loves you\ngood luck
228272
I have dealt with this too. The best thing to do is for him to start back on his meds. But with someone with this condition you can not convince them. They have to decide for themselves and sometimes they do. You can try to talk to him when he is being nice if you think it is safe. But I know from experience their mood can change quickly. If he is not on his meds you should not be there. It can be dangerous. I know you care for him but you do not want something bad to happen. Find someone to live with until you have the money to move, a friend, a parent, someone.
161202
Ah, dear sweet mother that you are, don't you know that as much as you love your daughter, that God loves her all that much and more?  He will grant her peace.  He will show her how much you love her, and help her to understand if there was any unresolved issues between the 2 of you, and come to a certain peace about it.  \n\nYou say she was bipolar.  If this ever caused her to do things that were questionable, I think God would not ever hold those things against her.  Please do not worry over her salvation or anything like that.  God is not so cruel.  Would you ever send your daughter to a place of torment?  Of course not!  And God will not either!  That is pure and simple.\n\nLosing a daughter is the hardest loss that anyone on earth probably ever has to face.  I cannot even comprehend it.  You are feeling totally natural things.  Do not feel guilty for the way you feel.  I wish I could give you some kind of magic words that would ease your suffering.  But I do not know them.  Please know that even now, I am crying for you.  Tears are blurring my vision now!  I feel so sad for you.  And I do not even know you.  But I can tell you are hurting, and that you truly truly were a good mother, even if you are unsure of it right now.  I will pray for you.  Do not feel ashamed to seek counseling in this situation.  No one could be prepared for the loss you've endured.  I bet some counselling may help.\nAnd I'll pray for you.\n\nGod bless you and give you peace.