Will I end up like my bi - polar  mum?
365825
A child with a parent who has bipolar disorder is at greater risk of developing the disorder. This does not mean that you will become bipolar, only that there is more risk than for a person with no family history of the disorder.\n\nIf you really want to help your mum, get her to a doctor to diagnose and treat her. Your family doctor is a great place to start. You doctor may treat her or may refer her to a psychiatrist.\n\nI recently started treatment for bipolar disorder and now I feel better than I have in all my 46 years.\n\nI am including two links one is the National Institute of Mental Health here in the US (I assume you are in the UK by your use of the word mum). The other is the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, also in the US. They may be able to direct you to support services in the UK.\n\nHope this helps you and your mum!\n\nSincerely,\nTerry Sisson  tls3123283@yahoo.com\nFort Worth, Texas
808263
Perhaps your mom is trying to find a place because she wants you to know that she understands.  \n\nI hate to say this, but I did the same when my son came out this summer.  I think I was the last person that knew he was gay.  I am sure it's denial that I've been in; nonetheless, I felt somehow that I needed to show him that I care and understand...and accept him no matter what.  How does one show that when presented with new lifestyle?  I told him that I could attend groups that support gays and was advising him to hang out with other gays so no one picks fun of him.  It may sound ridiculous but its just a mother making sure her child is "safe."  We may accept and understand but we know others do not and we just want to protect ours.\n\nSo you could really sit down with your mother and explain to her that you pretty much know what you want to do but let her know you appreciate her attempts to help you.  You can reassure her that you are not depressed, that you are also not bipolar.  \n\nSometimes when a parent doesn't understand (or accept readily), we think something else is the cause.  Just be frank with her so that she understands that you know what you want in life and that this is it...that she doesn't have to feel she needs to "orchestrate."   My son is 26.  He had to tell me because I didn't think I was doing that.  It's hard not to "mother" so much.  :)
382037
dealing with an ex spouse who is bi polar, i can assure you it is no picnic for your family. For the families sake, take your meds always. Don't stop when you "feel ok" because you don't even know when your making everyone around you live with dr. jekyl/mr hyde. He did not take his meds and he made our lives a living hell.
346082
Yes I'm sorry to say Bipolar is genetic. It doesn't have to be from your parents but from someone down your family tree. If you could look up your parents family trees  you will find it.   I am bipolar 1.  I have been dignosed for several years. At first I spent many months off and on in a mental facility trying to understand what happened to me. Now, I am on medicine which helps a lot. I haven't been hospitalized for almost a year now. If you are having black-out periods  or extreme anger outburst then you need to get some help now.
4725
It depends on the disorder. Schizophrenia is much more likely to develop in someone whose parent(s) had it, as is bi-polar disorder. You may want to talk to a pshychologist and get a professional opinion if it's present in a lot of family members.
626064
No. Remember that there are always three sides to every story.\n\nYou can treat two kids exactly the same, and they will react differently, so who knows how she's taking it -- you will have to be the best judge of her character.\n\nAlso, your upbringing may affect her now, but also how she behaves in the future (as an adult), indeed it may have a strong effect on the way she brings up her own kids.\n\nYou can never tell, only do what you think is best for her and society.  She can rebel or embrace.  You cannot be responsible after a certain point.\n\nI am sure she will do you proud, eventually -- the path will not be perfectly smooth, but overall I am sure you have given her all the tools to do a good job.
238057
too bad for her...that is very self centered.make clear that your mum has a place in your heart as well.
514895
It depends on the severity of the Bi-polarism. Some are ok as long as they are aware of it and keep it "in check." Some become un-hirable liabilities.\nSome become homeless staticstics.\nSome just argue and fight with their loved ones all the time.\nSome, like myself have to constatly keep myself in check. I'm alergic to many bi-polar meds and have taken to a more natural approach. I do "biorhythms", take calcium suppliments, camomile and St. Johns Wort. I see a "congnative" therapist and have a loving and understanding partner who's seen all the crap I've been through just to get the proper diagnosys.
379778
Write her a letter telling you how you feel.  But if she is bi-polar, only medication will help her.
544321
I really believe it does, My mums life and mine are so similar. Both had 3 boys and 2 girls, same likes and dislikes. We are the best of friends. More like sisters just a couple of decades apart..\nMy Dad, I am sure we would have been very close if he did'nt pass away when I was young..\nI really think if your parents are good role models, you are really blessed with your path in life..
390810
No. I'm polar.In fact, I'm bipolar. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about it, but maybe the link below can.\n\nI hope this is helpful. Good luck.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
603880
Yes. My mother is bipolar, and she can be very aggressive anyways, and drinking increases the aggressive behavior. Not to mention the fact that bipolar people should be on regular medications, medications that do not mix well with alcohol. Make sure he is on his medications, ask him to stop drinking, suggest he makes an appointment with his psychiatrist. Perhaps you may join in on a session or two with him.
237549
If your change of mood is a reaction to external factors (harsh words, nasty behavior)-it is not "bi-polar", I think you are just "thin-skinned" and sensitive. It is difficult to be like that. I am like that, and I am a woman. As I understand, you are a guy, and it is even more difficult. You may try to cope with is yourself - for example, saying to youself after you hear something unpleasant:"It's only an opinion", or "Poor girl/guy, he's really unhappy if he behaves like that".  Do not take antidepressants - only in dire straits.It may seem easy - you take a pill, and life is beautiful and nice again. First - they do not make you happy. And mood swings can persist. And then - antidepressants slow you down, ruin your muscles tonus etc. Only in case of real neurosis and/or  depression you can take them, and never without a good doctor's advice. Try do fight your mood swings yourself. It requires  some kind of moral discipline, but it is possible. The moment you are unhappy -try to think about something good and beautiful, some good experience, for example. If you can think of nothing good -it may happen -try to stop thinking at all. Blank your mind for a while. Make efforts in order not to ruminate negative thoughts and bad things. If you can not make it on your own - go to a psychologist, a good one, again. But remember - no doctor can help you if you do not make your own efforts. It's about YOUR LIFE
562787
I am a fifty year old man with Bi-Polar disorder. I also worked as a Nurse in Psychiatric Hospitals until my illness got to severe for me to continue.\nI have several relatives who are also Bi-Polar. Symptoms generally first appear, as in your mothers case, in the mid-teens. It is often misdiagnosed, though there have been improvements in recent years. Treatment for bi-polar d/o has improved massively in recent years. \nFirst, don't feel like you need to be responsible for your mothers moods. She can't control them; the medicine doesn't always control them; so don't feel like you have to control her moods.\nRealize that irritability can be a symptom of bi-polar disorder (though by no means one of the primary or diagnostic symptoms). Also, remember no matter how healthy or well-adjusted a mother and a teen-daughter are there is always going to be some friction.\nAs far as helping, love and patience are the best things you can offer and provide benefits no medicine can. \nDoes your mother have a good system for remembering to take her medicine properly? Both personal and clinical experience show me that taking the medications consistently and correctly is the best way for bi-polars to help ourselves.\nWhen she is depressed be encouraging. Help her find something, anything to do and be patient. \nAnyway I hope this has been some help. I will pray for you and your mother. I hope you get many helpful responses.\nYou may want to get in touch with NAMI, if you live in the US they offer lots of support for families of the chronically mentally ill.
781183
Never feel guilty......  Does not help you or them!  Now you could test for any congenital defects if they are very severe like Down's syndrome or such.  As for more simple things... which are still complicated, like bipolar, schizophrenia and sorts, yes, that can be passed on.  But this information is available to us now, not back then.  Would I still have children, probably depending on how severe it is in the family.  However, my family have severe dyslexia.  Would I not want one of my children because of that, of course not.  I would become as knowledgeable as I could to make sure they have the best opportunities.  As for guilt mom, don't carry any, you can only live for tomorrow and can't change the past.  Don't let your children make you feel this way, they will not benefit from your weakness.  Good luck and remember, they are teens, they will become human beings once again once this age is passed.  Good luck!
1038848
well i guess your mum is trying to protect you and what she thinks is the best, however being a mum myself every child needs to find out things for themselves weather that be for the good or bad, you need to tell your mum how you feel tell her your old enough to make up your mind she cant choose who you go out with but she can give your her opinion its up to you to take it you need to tell her you have made this decision and that she needs to stop controlling who you go out with you will go through your life making alot of mistakes but that is normal as a mother i will never tell my children who they will date etc i will give them my opinion yes but if the worst comes out of it parents need to tell there children they will be there for them and i think your mum needs to do the same. good luck???
451252
Do you honestly feel that he could be violent? Was he ever threatening and violent with you?\nBi-Polar (manic depression) causes periods of extreme down moods followed by extreme highs. It won't cause him to be violent unless he already has it in him and you will know deep down whether or not he has got it in him.\nI know you are exremely worried. The only thing I can say is to try and keep an eye on the situation and maybe keep a record of the phone calls and any other abuse she may recieve. The more you have the more the police will help in these situations if it comes to that.   xx