What about the kids

[joylesswonderingwhy]

I am a Bipolar mother. I wasn't diagnosed with bipolar until after my kids were born. I am trying to get better for them but am wondering if they are being affected long term by my mood swings. I yell and try not to and don't when I am properly medicated. Then I say sorry to them and explain to them that mommy is sick and trying to get better but it will take time to find the right meds for me. Will that work. Any suggestions on how to handle the kids. They are age 4 and 5.

[blivinlife7]

I yell at my 4 year old too, when I am irritated. It is a new diagnosis for me, so I am still adjusting to meds, which seem to help. It is important for me to take time for myself, like 15 minutes in order to give my 4 year old undivided attention. It has been a challenge, but his behavior is better now that mommy is stable. As far as apologizing to your kids for yelling at them, what a great lesson they are learning. That we are only human and it is okay to make a mistake. I have apologized for yelling before and my 4 year old understands that. So keep doing it. Your kids will be fine. Be aware of the stressors and the triggers to your mood swings and make adjustments to calm down before you react. It is tough...

[Guest ASchwartz]

BLIVINLIFE7,

I agree with what you have said in your posting. It is so important for those with Bipolar Disorder and their loved ones to understand that more than medication is involved in controlling the symptoms of this disorder. It is important to, as much as possible, reduce stress. Taking 15 minutes out to calm one's self is helpful and there are other stress reducing techniques, such as meditation, listening to soft music, yoga, etc.

I recommend psychotherapy, but the type that uses Cognitive Behavioral techniques along with psycho education so that one can learn more about this illness and how to control it.

Allan

[dee1961]

Allan

I have just become a member ( today 14/6/08) and have just come across this site. I have spent many hours searching for somthing like this and at last iv found one. My daughter (who is 27ys) was diognosed with bipolor last year. she has tried different medication with which she has not had any joy, at the moment she is only taking prozac, no mood stabilizers. We are going through a very bad time with her at the moment, she is in a very depressive episode but is allso having what has been explained to us by her consultant as a manic episode too,( she is not having the highs which she normally has when like this, she is acting very irrational.} She is becoming very aggresive verbally and physically and saying very nasty things she is very aggitated too. She shouts alot at us and her 4yr old boy which is most upsetting. As a family we do not know how to help her because we have not had much help and information from the mental health services who look after her. it is slowly distroying her relationship with her partner and is putting myself on the verge of a breakdown because i feel helpless and cant bear to see her like this . When she is on a "good day" which is not very often she is the little girl that i saw growing up. PLEASE PLEASE could you or anyone that reads this adivse on how to help her and get this situation under control. I think if you can speak to someone who is living this nightmare too and understands what its like they can offer more advise than from the "specialists". she is not due to see her consultant for another 4wks which is when he will make a decision on what to prescribe her again, he is considering Lithium which she is not happy about. I am not going to wait that long to see someone i am taking her back on tuesday and hopefully get some help.

Your hopefully

Dee