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How To Deal With A Bipolar Daughter

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How Is Your Daughter Doing Now

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms & Treatments : How to Deal With Children With Bipolar Disease

She continues to deal with anxiety at times and is often tired due to her immune deficiency so she only works part time. Her life is basically good after a few years of significant struggle. She takes a lot of medication, but we have accepted that she is better with them than she is without them. It really is a rollercoaster, but I have hope that she is accepting her reality and is working towards a healthy life.

*Lucy, not her real name, shares her happy and active life with her husband, two daughters and a dog in a suburb of South Central United States. She hopes to help other parents understand the struggles of living with bipolar disorder, while finding hope through loving and helping their kids find and live their best life.

What Is Rage In Children With Bipolar

The nerve centers responsible for rage are located in the limbic system or animal brain that contains structures essential to our survival through the fight or flight response, explains George T. Lynn, MA, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Bellevue, Washington. To the child in rage, it is a life and death struggle. As the limbic system flares on, adrenaline spikes, the child becomes stronger, and the thinking brain shuts down.

Supporting Someone With Bipolar

If you find it difficult to come to terms with your sibling’s or parent’s mental illness, there are many others who share your difficulty. Most siblings and adult children of people with psychiatric disorders find that mental illness in a brother, sister, or parent is a tragic event that changes everyone’s life in many basic ways. Strange, unpredictable behaviors in a loved one can be devastating, and your anxiety can be high as you struggle with each episode of illness and worry about the future. It seems impossible at first, but most siblings and adult children find that over time they do gain the knowledge and skills to cope with mental illness effectively. They do have strengths they never knew they had, and they can meet situations they never even anticipated.

A good start in learning to cope is to find out as much as possible about mental illness, both by reading and talking with other families. NAMI has books, pamphlets, fact sheets, and tapes available about different illnesses, treatments, and issues you may have to deal with, and you can join one of the 1,200 NAMI affiliate groups throughout the nation.

The following are some things to remember that should help you as you learn to live with mental illness in your family:

NAMI – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042703-524-7600 / NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI / www.nami.org

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When To Say Goodbye

Dr. Dimitriu advised against breaking up when your partner is having a manic episode.

A lot of times, I think theres nothing that you can say that will convince the other person anything, if theyre really on the mania side, he said.

The biggest thing, I think, actually, is to delay the breakup if thats happening and just have a cooling off period, he added.

After that, Dont make big decisions unless your three friends have said that youre in an even place. And that includes the relationship.

What Help Is Available For Children And Families

How To Deal With A Bipolar Adult Child

Every year, bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million U.S. adults, which is about 2.6 percent of the population. This means that your parent isnt alone and neither are you. There are a number of support options available to help family members better understand how to help their loved one, as well as how to take care of themselves.

Online forums and support groups are available, as well as in-person group sessions with other people going through the same thing. Here are some resources you can use:

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Learn To Show Love While Holding Boundaries

You may think you have to choose between loving your daughter and holding boundaries with her. But it isnt an either/or decision. Instead, try loving her by holding boundaries. Together with your daughter:

a) Have everyone agree on what the boundaries will be.

Be consistent and unified. Try using a contract or written agreement that outlines what the boundaries are and what the consequences will be if broken. Then your daughter, both parents and anyone else involved should agree and sign it.

b) Identify the values behind the boundaries.

Doing this will help you connect how the boundary will help your daughter. This helps provide a simple way for you to demonstrate that by holding the boundary, you are supporting and loving your daughter.

c) Change slowly. ;

Adopt a process of change and evaluation. Implement one boundary, then after a week or so sit down with your daughter and talk about how it has been going and what the next step should be. If you both feel the time is right, implement another boundary.

d) Drop the empty threats & embrace consequences. ;

Consequences are lifes natural teachers. Because consequences can be painful, your natural inclination is to protect your daughter from as many consequences as possible.

f) Have a zero tolerance policy for abusive behavior.

e) Consistency = Emotional Safety

Signs The Relationship Is Unhealthy

Its possible to have a healthy, happy relationship with someone living with bipolar disorder. However, there may also be specific indicators that suggest taking another look at the relationship.

Dr. Saltz said that several signs may indicate an unhealthy relationship, particularly with a partner who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder:

  • feeling that youre a caretaker in the relationship
  • experiencing burnout
  • sacrificing your life goals, values, and needs to be with your partner

Your partner stopping their treatments or medication could also be a cautionary sign for the future of the relationship. Also, as with any relationship, you should never feel that your partner is putting either you or themselves in danger.

Unhealthy signs go both ways. A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder may see red flags from their partner, too.

A partner who is stigmatizing and very negative about mental health issues, which is unfortunately fairly common, may be a difficult partner to have, said Dr. Saltz.

They may be often condescending or dismissive of you, You dont really have bipolar disorder, undermine your treatment, she added. For a partner diagnosed with bipolar disorder, this may be a time to take another look at the relationship.

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Helping Someone With Bipolar Disorder

  • 1Watch for symptoms. If the person has already been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then you may know all about the symptoms of this condition already. Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of mania and depression. During manic phases, someone may seem to have boundless energy and during depressive phases, that same person might not get out of bed for days.XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source
  • Manic phases may be characterized by high levels of optimism or irritability, unrealistic ideas about ones abilities, feeling energetic despite getting little sleep, speaking rapidly and going quickly from one idea to the next, not being able to concentrate, making impulsive or poor decisions, and even hallucinating.XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source
  • Depressive phases are characterized by hopelessness, sadness, emptiness, irritability, losing interest in things, fatigue, lack of concentration, appetite changes, weight changes, difficulty sleeping, feeling worthless or guilty, and considering suicide.XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source
  • Cyclothymia. This subtype is when someone has had symptoms of bipolar disorder for two years, but the symptoms are mild.
  • Be Active In Their Treatment

    Risks to Children of Parents With Bipolar Disorder

    Treatment for people with bipolar disorder usually consists of many therapy sessions and doctor visits. While you shouldnt necessarily attend these appointments, you can help someone with bipolar disorder by coming with them and then waiting for them until their appointment is over.

    These appointments can sometimes seem complicated or scary to people with bipolar disorder. Having someone there who can offer support and talk to them may help reduce any stress or anxiety they may be feeling.

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    Discuss Behaviour You Find Challenging

    • If someone is hearing or seeing things you don’t, they might feel angry, annoyed or confused if you don’t share their beliefs. It’s helpful to stay calm, and let them know that, although you don’t share the belief, you understand that it feels real for them. Or, if possible, try to focus on supporting them with how they are feeling rather than confirming or challenging their perception of reality – what feels real for them is real in those moments.
    • If someone becomes very disinhibited while manic, they may do things that feel embarrassing, strange or upsetting to you. It can be helpful to calmly discuss your feelings with them when they are feeling more stable. Try not to be judgemental or overly critical; focus on explaining how specific things they’ve done make you feel, rather than making general statements or accusations about their actions.

    “What feels real is real for him in that moment. It helps when I respect that and comfort him rather than trying to explain it’s not ‘real’ for everyone else.”

    Residential Treatment For Bipolar Disorder And Anxiety

    Caring for and supporting your adult child can be an invaluable source of help for but you alone cannot help them recover from their mental illness. To recover from bipolar disorder and anxiety, professional help is essential for long-term success. A successful treatment program for someone with bipolar disorder and anxiety will provide an individualized plan tailored to their unique needs.

    Residential treatment centers for bipolar disorder and anxiety may be the best option for your loved one. While in inpatient treatment, your adult child will be able to focus solely on recovery with zero distractions from everyday life. During treatment, patients will learn to understand their mental illness and the tools and skills necessary to learn to manage and live with their chronic illness. Residential treatment has several benefits in treating bipolar disorder and anxiety such as:

    • A safe and secure environment designed for recovery
    • A customized treatment plan

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    Types Of Bipolar Disorder

    Although bipolar disorder is often used as a catch-all phrase, it includes three distinct disorders. Each one involves some degree or combination of manic, hypomanic , and depressive episodes. The different types of bipolar disorder are:

    • Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by periods of mania, major depression, or mixed episodes that:
    • Last for at least a week
    • Are so severe that they affect sleep or typical daily functioning
    • Occur immediately before or immediately after a depressive episode that lasts or lasted two weeks or more
  • Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by periods of mania, hypomania depression, or mixed episodes that are less intense than the episodes experienced by adolescents with bipolar 1. The milder manic episodes typical of bipolar II are called hypomanic or hypomania.
  • Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by numerous periods of depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms, but adolescents with cyclothymic disorder do not experience the full hypomanic or major depressive episodes seen in bipolar I or bipolar II.
  • If My Child Wants To Move Out What Do I Do

    Raising a Moody Child : How to Cope with Depression ...

    Remember that confrontation, arguing, and criticism usually arent helpful in any circumstance with your child, says Gregory Simon, M.D., a psychiatrist and researcher at Kaiser Permanente Washington in Seattle. We cant force others to do what we want them to do, but we can provide guidance and encouragement, Dr. Brister says. Share your concerns with your child and talk about what involvement youll have once theyre living independently. If you dont yet have your childs permission to talk to their providers, ask for it nowin case you need to step in and help.

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    Bipolar And Angry All The Time

    If angry outbursts are a recurring problem, wait until everyone is calm and then brainstorm acceptable ways in which the person with bipolar disorder can handle angry feelings and remain in control. These might include:

  • Being clear and direct at the time of minor annoyances, so the anger doesn’t get bottled up and explode
  • Venting some energy via exercise, hitting something safe , or yelling in a secluded place
  • Leaving the situation or taking some time out to write in a journal or count to oneself
  • Taking an additional dose of medication, if prescribed
  • APA ReferenceGluck, S. . Bipolar Anger: How To Handle Your Bipolar Relative’s Anger, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2021, September 18 from https://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-support/bipolar-anger-how-to-handle-your-bipolar-relatives-anger

    Get Your Teen Into Treatment

    Once your child receives an evaluation and diagnosis, the assessing psychiatrist or therapist will most likely recommend treatment. As mentioned above, treatment for bipolar disorder in teens typically involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy .

    • Medication. Medication is often necessary to manage the various types of bipolar disorder, particularly in the case of bipolar I disorder, in which the mood episodes can be extreme. Typical medications for bipolar disorder in teens include mood stabilizers such as lithium or Depakote, and/or atypical antipsychotics such as Risperdal. Medication can help prevent depressive episodes and decrease the frequency and severity of manic episodes.
    • Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help your teen understand bipolar disorder, including the challenges it creates and how to manage it more effectively. Talk therapy can also help them with the difficult relationship and self-esteem issues that often accompany bipolar disorder

    Note: If your teen is experiencing a full-blown manic episode, your first step should be to get them to the nearest hospital or psychiatric ER for an evaluation and likely admission to a psychiatric inpatient unit. Attempting to have a conversation while theyre manic probably wont be productive and may cause your teen to become more agitated.

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    Advice For Parents On Caring For Bipolar Disorder

    From The Quarterly,

    Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D., is a professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Prior to joining Weill Cornell in April 2015, he served for nearly 25 years as Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston; and for 18 years at the National Institute of Mental Health as Chief of the Mood, Anxiety, and Personality Disorders Research Branch. He is a founding member of the Foundations Scientific Council, a 2002 Distinguished Investigator Grantee, and winner of the Falcone Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Affective Disorders Research .

    Dr. Hirschfeld is world renowned for his research on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder and depression. He developed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire in 2000, the most widely used screening instrument for bipolar disorder in the world. He served as chair of the original and the revised American Psychiatric Association Guidelines for Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorders.

    There are lots of misconceptions about bipolar disorder. Can you define the disorder and explain the relation between its manic and depressive phases?

    Thats mostly correct. You dont need the depression to make the diagnosis; you do need at least one manic or hypomanic episode. But in general I would characterize bipolar disorder as an illness usually involving episodes of both highs and lows.

    Is there any way to prevent this tumult?

    Teenagers With Bipolar Disorder

    Dealing with Child Suffering from Bipolar Manic Depression

    In older teenagers, the symptoms and treatment of bipolar disorder are much more similar to those seen in adults. But having a teenager with this condition presents a lot of distinct problems.

    As they get older, teenagers might be resentful if they feel that you’re imposing treatment on them. So let them into the conversation. Talk frankly — along with your child’s doctor or therapist — about treatment options. Try not to develop an adversarial relationship with your child over their treatment or medication.

    As with adults, it’s key that teenagers with bipolar disorder avoid alcohol and drugs, which can interact with medications or bring on or worsen mood episodes. The risks of developing a substance abuse problem are much higher in teens with bipolar disorder than in their peers. It’s also important to maintain regular routines around sleep and wake times, and to develop effective coping strategies for managing stress and distress.

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    How To View The Behavior

    Think of it as reacting to a child who has diabetes and is in a state of agitation due to high blood sugar level. You would accept that his off-behavior temper is due to something medical and you would treat it with medication or food. Its important to remember that because your child has a brain disorder, it is the chemistry of their brain that drives their rage. That doesnt preclude setting boundaries, but its an important distinction to make, especially when there are other children in the household without bipolar symptoms and require different parenting techniques.

    What If My Adult Kid Is Exhibiting Unhealthy Or Even Dangerous Behaviors

    If theres a risk of harm to themselves or others, you need to get help immediately. Otherwise, Dr. Brister advises you make a distinction between behavior you disapprove of and behavior thats actually dangerous for your child. This is where having communication privileges with healthcare providers is helpful so you can share what youre observing, from violent episodes, to substance use, to erratic sleep patterns. Even if you dont have permission, Dr. Brister says you can still legally talk to your childs providers, though you wont get any information from them.

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    What Does It Mean For Our Marriage If My Spouse Has Bipolar Disorder

    There are two answers to this question. If you spouse fully accepts the diagnosis and resolves to get treatment, you could begin working together and make the marriage stronger than ever. Many people with bipolar disorder have happy, successful marriages.;

    If, on the other hand, your spouse refuses treatment, you must learn to protect yourself from abuse. Abuse can take the form of

    • Verbal abuse
    • Financial abuse
    • Emotional abuse
    • Physical abuse

    Read our article on Encouraging a Loved One to Get Help for tips on discussing bipolar with your spouse. And see our article on Finding a Good Therapist for when they are ready to take that step.;

    We offer a variety of resources to help those with bipolar disorder and their loved ones. One of these is our free e-book, Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder, which covers all of the basic information you need to know about bipolar. View a list of the rest of our programs;here.;

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