I Am A Mom, Caring for My Child With Bipolar Disorder
You are not alone. We are here for you!
Growing up is tough. Getting diagnosed with bipolar can make it feel harder. While being diagnosed with bipolar at your age might feel really scary, it has its advantages. Young people tend to learn new habits faster and can adapt easier. One of the keys to living with bipolar disorder is learning to monitor and be aware of what is going on inside. In reality, this is a skill we all need, but you will hone these skills sooner. A strong sense of who you are and how you feel will help you in many other parts of your life, such as relationships, school, and work.
You probably are feeling very different from your friends, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that you can create a support network who appreciates you for who you are. Having bipolar disorder is not your fault. Just because your brain is different, doesn’t mean it’s bad or wrong. Being diagnosed with bipolar, along with the other challenges of being your age can feel like a lot at first. You might even be afraid to talk about what you are going through. Find your people – choose friends who support a healthy lifestyle and want you to be well. Going to peer support groups helps you see you’re not alone. Read the stories of hope and recovery on the International Bipolar Foundation website. Maybe someday you’ll write your own for us! Reaching out is key. Don’t be afraid to use your voice and ask for help. We would love to hear from you! You might also want to speak to your school counselor because you may even be able to get special accommodations at your school to make balancing your many priorities easier. As you get older and become more of an expert on yourself, living with bipolar will get easier.
There are many resources available that can help you manage and cope with symptoms, prevent and rebound from mood episodes, and lead a stable, happy, and healthy life!
Webinars For Moms
Webinars are online presentations that are about an hour long. We have a live webinar at least once a month with experts on different areas of bipolar disorder. Each webinar is recorded and posted to our website. The webinars go in depth on specific topics and are designed to help you learn more about different treatment options, developing research trends, or everyday tips for managing symptoms. A wide variety of topics are covered, here are some examples that are especially useful for youth:
Connecting with Moms!
Childhood Onset of Bipolar Disorders: An Excess in the US and What to Do About It
It's Difficult: Listening to the Mothers of Adult Children with Mental Health Challenges
Suicide Risk & Prevention in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: The Role of the Family
Free Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder Book
The Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder book is written for both people living with bipolar disorder and their caregivers. The book is available in a PDF, Kindle, or hard copy. Please fill out the form below to download the PDF or request the hard copy. The PDF is available in several languages. The hard copies are currently only available in English.
Blog Articles For Youth With Bipolar Disorder
We have about 40 active bloggers who write monthly posts on different topics related to bipolar disorder. By reading the blogs you can see that you are not alone and learn things that have helped other people in similar situations. Some of our bloggers are young people like you:
The Guilt I Felt When My Daughter Was Diagnosed With Bipolar
Sit Close to the Fire
I See You
A Mom's Letter to IBPF
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.
Sincerely,
Tanya Griffiths
YouTube Question & Answer Series
We have a series of youtube videos where experts in the field answer common questions about bipolar disorder. Some are from a medical perspective and others are from caregivers or people who have bipolar disorder.
Connect With Us On Social Media
We are active on several social media platforms, check us out at these links:
Stories Of Hope And Recovery
Personal stories of people who successfully live with bipolar disorder and share what has worked for them, like Hakeem Rahim or Gabe Howard.
Treatment & Support Resources
We can help you find a support group in your area or other resources like treatment centers, psychiatrists, and therapists. View our resource page or email us at info@ibpf.org for help finding a referral. US consumers can also use this treatment locator.