Hello from the land down under

I am new to the groups having been diagnosed two weeks ago as bipolar 1. Am rapid cycling at the moment. Feeling lots of emotions at the moment but also a fair bit of relief that the is actually a cause for all the odd experiences and up and downs of my life. So relieved to find out I am not crazy but just have bipolar! Ha ha ha! Like the ugly duckling who finds out he is a swan..I'm now a member of an exclusive club. I first wanted to kill myself when I was 11 years old. Luckily I haven't been suicidal since about 19. I am now 31, am married and have two kids aged 9 and 11.

I actually started to pursue a proper diagnoses for myself because I believe that my 9 year old daughter has BP too. I have cousins who have been diagnosed recently too. Here in Australia they are very reluctant to diagnose kids still. She has been diagnosed recently with ADHD but I don't agree with that diagnose. She is not like most 'ADHD' kids in that she can concentrate and be attentive for long stretches. This has motivated me to seek the best treatment I can find for myself as I cannot help her if I am out of control myself. No one can understand what she is going through better than me. It has taken me 20 years to get the right diagnoses and a lot of unnecessary suffering could have been avoided. As much as it pains me to see my child go through this I know that I will be the person to help her through it. So I guess I am on a mission to do the best I can to achieve the best quality of life I can for both myself, my daughter and the rest of my family.

It's great to meet other people who understand this unique condition - what a rich resource of knowledge and experience to tap into.

Welcome. I am glad you are here. I have bipolar 1,w/ rapid cycling, and psychotic features. I got on meds a year ago, but, was finally properly diagnosed 5 yrs ago. My son has just been diagnosed with bipolar. He is 11 yrs old. I t is nice to read your story. I relate alot. I can understand my son more, now, too. I can tell when he is unstable. They thought he was ADHD, too. My daughter's teacher is trying to label her ADHD, too, and I am having a hard time seeing it.

My son has never been the "typical" ADHD kid, either.

Anyway, I am glad you are here. Thare are many wonderful people here, with both bipolar, and those who love them. Feel free to jump right in. Vent, share, and ask as many questions as you like. We are here for you.

You are not alone. There are many of us here. I am BP 1 with psychotic features. It must be terrible to watch your child struggle.

We are here for you.

DC

I ended asking for a referral to a hospital/university/research clinic. Its the best in Australia and was just great during the whole process. It felt like coming home. Like this is where I was meant to find the right help for me. Now I am excited at moving forward.

Post edited by: carmen33, at: 05/09/2008 05:12