Family Issues
Bipolar Disorder, as with any major illness, affects the entire family. Found here are resources that address family issues such as adoption, parenting, pregnancy and support.
When Family Doesn't Listen, Maybe They Can't Listen
It happens over and over again to people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. You tell your family what's happening, how you feel, and the next thing you know they are changing the subject or giving some noncommittal answer, and you are just furious. It is possible they don't care or don't believe you, but more likely, they just don't know what to say.
It happens over and over again to people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. You tell your family what's happening, how you feel, and the next thing you know they are changing the subject or giving some noncommittal answer, and you are just furious. It is possible they don't care or don't believe you, but more likely, they just don't know what to say.
Daddy's Disorder
A young teenager gives her perspective on her father's bipolar disorder, from the ways he has helped her understand the highs and lows to how she feels about his suicide attempts.
A young teenager gives her perspective on her father's bipolar disorder, from the ways he has helped her understand the highs and lows to how she feels about his suicide attempts.
Marriage & Manic Depression: Making It Work
When a married person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic depression), it is really a diagnosis for the couple. Unfortunately, this disorder so often wreaks havoc in marriages. Reaching out for help with his struggling marriage, a newly diagnosed member asks, “How can I ask her to look up to me and take comfort in my confidence when all of this has been shattered?” Hope, who has been in a rather long marriage to someone with bipolar disorder, shares her insight.
When a married person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic depression), it is really a diagnosis for the couple. Unfortunately, this disorder so often wreaks havoc in marriages. Reaching out for help with his struggling marriage, a newly diagnosed member asks, “How can I ask her to look up to me and take comfort in my confidence when all of this has been shattered?” Hope, who has been in a rather long marriage to someone with bipolar disorder, shares her insight.
The Struggle of a Significant Other
We often read of the difficulties and trials, of the frustrations with medications, of the sense of isolation for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In all of this, it is easy to forget that loved-ones and significant others are faced with as much emotional upheaval. This is the story of a wife as she struggles along side her husband after his initial diagnosis.
We often read of the difficulties and trials, of the frustrations with medications, of the sense of isolation for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In all of this, it is easy to forget that loved-ones and significant others are faced with as much emotional upheaval. This is the story of a wife as she struggles along side her husband after his initial diagnosis.
How To Explain Bipolar Disorder to Others
The popular impression of manic depression is quite different from the reality. If you need to tell someone what bipolar disorder is, here are some helpful hints to assist you.
The popular impression of manic depression is quite different from the reality. If you need to tell someone what bipolar disorder is, here are some helpful hints to assist you.
Regaining Perspective
A few suggestions for regaining perspective in living with the realities of Bipolar Disorder.
A few suggestions for regaining perspective in living with the realities of Bipolar Disorder.
Supporting Grown Children?
What do you think about parents being ordered to support grown children who are disabled by mental illness?
What do you think about parents being ordered to support grown children who are disabled by mental illness?
60 Tips for Helping
If you have a family member with neurobiological disorder ("NBD," commonly known as mental illness), found here are tips for handling a crisis, communicating, avoiding relapses, setting boundaries and coping.
If you have a family member with neurobiological disorder ("NBD," commonly known as mental illness), found here are tips for handling a crisis, communicating, avoiding relapses, setting boundaries and coping.
Giving Emotional Support
Two short but right to the point lists: What to do, and what NOT to do.
Two short but right to the point lists: What to do, and what NOT to do.