My youngest daughter was diagnosed bipolar in 2007; she is now 21 years old and living, much against her wishes, at home. Her inability to structure her life ended 3 attempts at college and led to 2 hospitalizations. She has accepted her bipolar disorder but not the responsibility of it.
I write because I need an outlet to express my struggles with the disorder and to acknowledge I need help. My heart has been heavy, but my faith keeps me moving forward to help my daughter - not enable her. Please understand I'm not doing this to bash her lifestyle and poor choices. I'd appreciate those of you who live with this disorder, to shed light on your perceptions of loved ones who want to be proactive... or maybe other parents can share with me their journeys. Maybe my entries will be insightful to other parents and/or to individuals who live with the disorder. I just need to do this.
Hi Larkin,
I can understand your concern about your daughter it's only logical you feel that way. I would like to ask you if you don't mind, is she or was she ever in therapy? I too have trouble in structuring my life and am starting with baby steps to rebuilt my life, I know I lost most of my capacity to deal with life or just simple things like studying, my memory is very weak these days.
I have bipolar type II and only got my diagnose last year in April since then my quality of life has improved immensely but at 42 years of age and having deal with this disorder most of my life without any meds took it's toll and I am exhausted and it will take me more effort to start again. I could never go to college because my memory would betray me, I can only hope that I still have the ability to work and to be financial independent which would be quite a miracle.
I will start therapy in few weeks to get some new tools to help me along the way. I do recommend therapy to your daughter so she will not have to deal with it alone and that way she can find a way to get what she want, to study or to rebuilt her life. The important thing is that she doesn't find herself alone dealing with it, she needs someone who understands this illness and what she is going though.
All the best,
Alex