Mother of 34-year-old bipolar daughter

[DebbieL]

Hello everyone,
Little did I know that I would be writing on a site like this one. I should have done it LONG ago, but better late than never. My daughter is still living at home at 34 years old with her father and me and her 8-year-old daughter. Our granddaughter is the light of our life, but her father and my daughter never married. I think she knows this, but it really isn't an issue yet. (Thank God!) We have so many other issues to deal with right now.
Michelle was diagnosed bipolar about 15 years ago, but back then, I didn't have a clue what that meant, and I don't think she did either. She never followed through on getting help, and since I was oblivious to the disease, I didn't do anything to help her at that time.
Well, here we are 15 years later, wondering why our daughter can't get her life together!!! Duh! I can't say I don't know now, because I do. She is bipolar, and she is very typically bipolar. I have done as much research on the subject as I can stand for right now. I just need a place to "VENT" every once in awhile, and luckily I found this site. I could go on and on but it's late and I'm really tired. I'll try to post more tomorrow. I just wanted to say "hello" to everyone. My name is Debbie.

[Spirit]

Hi Debbie, I'm bipolar but I feel for you and want to welcome you to this site. You didn't say whether your daughter is seeing a psychdoc or getting any medication. Please let us know so we can go on from there. I could suggest to you that there probably is a support group for you in your city through NAMI, National Alliance of Mental Health. There you would find other parents and/or spouses of people with bipolar disorder to talk to and share with. If there isn't a NAMI in your city, try the County Mental Health in your area. Again, welcome.

[kjazzygirl]

Welcome Debbie! My 27 year-old son was diagnosed bipolar I about 3 years ago. I have a grandson who will be 5 in August, but he lives in another state with his mother. My son lives with me and his step-father. It has been a very hard 3 years, but things are calming down a bit. Feel free to get on here and vent anytime. And the NAMI/support group suggestion is a great idea! I attend monthly NAMI meetings and also go to a Bipolar family support group meeting twice a month. I am so lucky to have this is my area - I rarely miss a meeting. It's good for my soul to talk with others who don't judge and know exactly where I'm coming from! Take care! Kat

[eyeteachscience]

Hello, I'm a mom of a 23-year old bipolar daughter. We got a real diagnosis about 4 years ago, but started to suspect that was the case a couple of years prior. In addition, she has been diagnosed with epilepsy in the last two years when she began having seizures. A lot of the meds she takes work for both, but it has been a real roller-coaster. The best I can liken the experience to was living with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or "Who is this person and what have you done with my daughter!" I totally feel for you and am glad this site is available to us. I love and adore my daughter and it helps to know there are others out there that are going through this - if only to pass on experience, strength an hope! Thanks for the forum and the community!

Boni