Question:
I have Bi-Polar 1 and am a rapid cycler. I am divorced and have custody of three great kids.I may always have my down times but am fortunate to have loving friends and family to help me out during those difficult times. I just ask. I think that was the hardest part for me, the asking for help when I needed a break. I used to think it made me weak, but I don’t anymore. Now I just realize it makes me human. My children are the most cherished gift I have and I believe I am a good parent and give my children just as much as they give me. Being Bi-Polar doesn’t mean you will be abusive and neglectful. I don’t know of any parent who is perfect either. My children are 5, 6, and 11 years old and I personally wouldn’t change a thing, especially my decision to have them. If you think I can help in any way, please let me know. Mary Beth
Response:
> Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. > I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. > I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between > being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. > she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. > but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or > from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. > I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so…..
I’m bipolar and have a daughter who is 23. I was divorced when she was a little over 1 yr old and I maintained regular weekend and midweek visits with her while she grew up. When she was 12, she lived with me for 3 yrs, while I was going through one of the worst depressive periods of my life. She lived with me because she was experiencing emotional and behavioral problems, was having problems with a step-father and she wanted to be with me. Our years together are the most cherished of my life even we were both having emotional problems. Today my daughter has very positive things to say about the that time period we were together and her relationship with me in general. She has felt most understood by me; that she is one of the luckiest people in the world to have acquired open-mindedness, acceptance and individuality from me. I’m honored she bestows such accolades upon me, but it must show something that in spite of my emotional difficulties (and hers) she was able to draw such meaning. She does worry, though, that she too, will experience bipolar through inheritance. I pray that won’t happen.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. > I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. > I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between > being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. > she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. > but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or > from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. > I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so….. > Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. > I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. > I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between > being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. > she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. > but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or > from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. > I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so…..
I’m bipolar and have a daughter who is 23. I was divorced when she was a little over 1 yr old and I maintained regular weekend and midweek visits with her while she grew up. When she was 12, she lived with me for 3 yrs, while I was going through one of the worst depressive periods of my life. She lived with me because she was experiencing emotional and behavioral problems, was having problems with a step-father and she wanted to be with me. Our years together are the most cherished of my life even we were both having emotional problems. Today my daughter has very positive things to say about the that time period we were together and her relationship with me in general. She has felt most understood by me; that she is one of the luckiest people in the world to have acquired open-mindedness, acceptance and individuality from me. I’m honored she bestows such accolades upon me, but it must show something that in spite of my emotional difficulties (and hers) she was able to draw such meaning. She does worry, though, that she too, will experience bipolar through inheritance. I pray that won’t happen.
Response:
> Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. > I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. > I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between > being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. > she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. > but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or > from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. > I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so…..
I grew up with a mother who was a bipolar and untreated until I was 16. It was living hell. I used to have nightmares that she had an evil twin when I was a kid. I believe that a parent with bipolar would do just as good a job as any other parent. A bipolar on meds though. I worry that I would never be able to carry the baby to term with no meds in my system. Docs have told me that I could go back on the meds after the first trimester, but what about the baby? I am leaning toward having my tubes tied to tell the truth. Mostly because I also have a heart condition, and various and sundry other medical problems that I don’t want to pass on. Liz Fave quotes from the flick _Dolores Claiborn_ , spoken by "Vera Donovan": "An accident, Dolores, can sometimes be an unhappy [wife's] best friend." "Sometimes, you have to be a high riding bitch." "Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hold on to." GREAT movie 
Response:
> Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. > I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. > I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between > being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. > she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. > but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or > from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. > I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so…..
My wife is bipolar, and is on meds (Lithium and Depakote). She has a terrible manic episode every few years requiring hospitalization. We’ve been married 16 years (that long?) and have two wonderful sons, 6 and 10. Although she has a tremendous amount of anger when she’s manic, to my knowledge she’s never taken it out on them. All in all, she’s a wonderful mom, and our children have been a blessing in our lives. As for meds while she was pregnant, she went off her lithium while pregnant with our first child, and he was born w/ no problems. She had a bad manic episode right after it. For our second child, she went off her lithium for just the first trimester. Bryan was born perfectly normal, and she got a little shaky, but kept everything together. Good luck! — Fred Lassiter
Response:
Someday I would like to have children… but i am concerned…. I am bipolar II rapid cycling….. I am on meds now, and I asked pdoc if there is a correlation between being bipolar and becoming an inadequate or abusive parent…. she told me that I don’t have to worry about thet…. but I would appreciate some insights from parents who are bipolar or from people who grew up with bipolar parents….. I am hoping to have a child in the next five years or so….. Thanks!!! Joanna
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