I Am the Mother of a Child With Bipolar Disorder

When my daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 13, I was scared and really unaware of what bipolar disorder was, and what it would mean for her future. My education about mental illness started with reading every book I could find on the subject. What I began to learn was that bipolar disorder is a complex illness and would require my understanding of biology, neurology, pharmacology, behavioral health, social beliefs and systems, healthcare systems, medical insurance and the law.

When I expanded my search to the web, I found you, International Bipolar Foundation and your book, webinars, articles, blogs and social media. I discovered resources to make me feel informed in my decisions and I then had a sense of ground under my feet. I also felt the connection that I yearned for, as parenting a mentally ill child is very isolating. To know that there were others out there that understood my experience helped me through my toughest and loneliest moments.

My daughter is now 20, doing well and leads a full life. Our shared experiences with IBPF inspired me to support you in every way possible. Helping other individuals and families living with bipolar disorder is my life’s work. The need is tremendous, and there is still so much work to do to create a world where mental health is equitably supported and treated. Thank you providing a platform for all people to rely on, and to fulfill my personal journey.

To say that I was shell-shocked, floundering, stunned, and (after having had two older siblings leave high school and go to college successfully) completely at a loss when my youngest in her freshman year at a Cal State University needed to be hospitalized twice and eventually diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, would be an understatement.

My best friend, Sue was familiar with what I was going through as her sister had been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder when she was younger. It was early days for me, struggling to understand, when Sue invited me to go with her to an IBPF panel discussion locally. Here, and for the first time, I was able to see and listen to people who really knew what bipolar disorder was, who had dealt with it as professionals and as friends and family members.

This was my first encounter with the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF). As a mother and caregiver, I cannot express enough how deeply grateful I was to have these people giving a glimpse – in a matter of fact yet truly compassionate way – into the world in which my daughter, myself and our family now found ourselves.

I attended another panel discussion in Mission Valley and again was struck by the awesome acceptance and understanding which surrounded me. It gave me hope and strength.

As an event planner, I wanted to volunteer in some way, so I volunteered to help with the IBPF annual Gala. In these meetings, with other mothers of children diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder, I found a group who could instantly relate to and with the enormous energy and struggles of being a caretaker in these circumstances. There is a throughline amongst these mothers of compassion and concern and shared trauma which no one who has not been there can really comprehend – but the IBPF “birds” do!

IBPF gave my daughter something too. She was also able to feel community and enough acceptance to write about her personal journey to share with others.

IBPF, quite honestly, took me from hopeless despair to being able to see the potential for a well-lived life for my daughter and by extension her mum, me, and our family.

IBPF has been invaluable to me and our family. When my daughter was first was diagnosed, we didn’t have any resources or community to connect with. I met a woman who was connected to IBPF and shared a similar story with her daughter, and she introduced me to IBPF. They have been my lifeline and my support center. I have been given many resources over the years and have gotten very involved. I am so thankful for all that they do, and happy to now contribute where I can. I have even started a caregiver connection monthly meeting to help others who haven’t know where to turn to, or who they can talk to, and connect with.  IBPF has so many wonderful things on the horizon, and I am so grateful to be involved, and to be a part of breaking the stigma. I have found a wonderful community and so many have become wonderful friends. Thank you, IBPF!