Bipolar Type II Support Group

A year ago on October 17th I found out that my middle child was Bipolar II. On September 17th I found out that my youngest also has bipolar II. I am so confused!!! I fill like I was just beginning to understand the whole thing and now I have another!I feel that this is just too much! I knew no one that had this in the family or friends and now two of my three children have this disorder!!!! Any suggestions now what I should be doing????

Wow, you're definitely dealing with a lot. Good thing God trusts you that you can handle it or He wouldn't have given it all to you to bear. While I haven't been in this situation, I can just tell you to take it a day at a time and keep your head up. Come here when you feel like you're gonna lose it or just want to vent, we're all here for you!

Wetzie, take some deep breaths. This is going to be okay. So you have two daughters with bipolar disorder. It's not the end of the world. This is a treatable disorder. Learn all you can about it and log on here to learn even more. This is going to be a learning experience for you and your daughters. Medications are going to be a challenge because they take awhile to figure out, but you will get there. Never give up, you fight this. Don't ever lose hope either. They both will turn out just fine. We will always be here for you no matter what. I have no idea what it's like, I know. I can only imagine. I just feel that you are going to get through this. God wouldn't give it to you if you couldn't take it on. I will say a prayer for you and your family tonight. I wish you the best. When you feel anything, come here. We will be right here with you.

Hi Wetzie,

Here's a link to out BP Information page.

there are a lot of good links to information there.

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/bipolar-type-ii- discussions/general-support/1780176-educating-yourself- about-bipolar-disorderinfo

One day at a time. Stay in good constant communication. Go to dr. visits with your daughters. Maybe get family therapy for all of you. I'm sorry to hear that you are now going to have to deal with this. I hope that my daughter who is 13 now isn't afflicted with this disorder. You will get through this and there are good meds out there. Take care.

Thanks for responding! I was just feeling really overwhelmed. I do go to the doctors with both of my children now!I am trying to be supportive and there for them as well as my third child that as of right now does not have it. I keep telling myself that God will only give me and my family what we can handle but sometimes I really question it!!!

wetzie, we haven't met, so let me welcome you to the group. It's great to have you here and I hope you will find the support and comfort you need. We will be here for you no matter what.

You are going through an incredibly hard time and I so feel for you. What you are coping with is huge, and yet you still keep going. Please give yourself credit for that, you are holding it together and being there for your kids. Just make sure that along the way you restore your own batteries!!

I understand the questions you ask about just how much we can handle. For the last 3 years my journey has been one of faith, hope and courage and you know what? God has never let me down. It may feel like it's too much but just keep praying and handing it over to Him. I'm in a very hard place at the mo' and also wondering how on earth I'm going to get through this, it's a tough one. But I'm doing the same, trusting and praying .. ok praying extra hard !! Just stay strong and you CAN and WILL get through this

There is a group for parents of bipolar children, that is very helpful as well. It may give you the extra support that you need.

I wish you all the best and remember, we are here for you. Hugs, Bridget

Hi Wetzie! I'm the parent of a bipolar child. I hang out in the "parents of Bipolar children" forum here at MDJunction. BUt, I also hang out among all of these beautiful people here. They have helped me through a lot and they are incredible people.

If you are wondering how you can handle this, just listen to this: I have a bipolar father and a bipolar child. I also have a bipolar brother and possibly some undiagnosed ones too. This summer, ALL AT THE SAME TIME, I was dealing with intensive outpatient treatment with my daughter coming off the tail-end of two hospitalizations, a rapid-cycling and out of control brother, and a sister in her thirties with absolutely no mental health history who all of a sudden went into a post-partum psychosis after the birth of her first child. What did I do at the time? I thanked God that my father wasn't having an episode at the same time! LOL.

This week, I am taking my other daughter to a doc and a therapist for some anxiety issues that I pray don't turn into something more like her sister.

Does God give us more than we can handle? If you asked me that a few months ago, I might have said "yes". Today, I say "No". I'm here, I'm still kicking, and I'm not giving up the fight for the people I love.

I don't know if you believe in God. And, even if you do, it's sometimes hard to see him, but don't forget he's there.

Post edited by: owutatangledweb, at: 10/04/2010 07:03 PM

Wetzie,

It sounds like you are doing all the right things for your children. This condition is a chemical imbalance, and there are strong hereditary factors in your family. Learn all you can, bc bipolar treatment for children is dif than for adults. There are many meds that they cannot be given. Write a list of questions for the doctor ahead of time and be prepared to take notes once you're in the office. Do research on the web, but check out credentials bc there's a lot of crap out there also. Anything that comes up from your research, bring up to the doctor. In addition go to your local library and try to find books on the subject. Be proactive about your childrens care. Take them to the best doctor you can afford that specializes in juvenile bp. BP is something that w/the right meds, is controllable and most people are able to lead ordinary lives. Don't become a doormat or indulge your children too much, they still need to know that you're in charge and have structure in the home. I know it's frightening, I have entertained ideas about my grown children bc my husband has bp1 and I have bp2 and there are many relatives on both sides. I think that puts my children at about an 80% chance of developing some type of bp. Be open and honest with your children and help them learn to discuss their issues with you as well as the doctor. Good luck, we are here for you if you want to talk, pm me if you feel like chatting. hedap