I know there are some of you who have this or are dealing with family and friends who have it. So let's share info. My Mom is bipolar and after two years of hell she finally got on a med plan that works for her and she's accepted that she is bipolar.

The acceptance seems to be one of the most difficult parts. They think they are being perfectly normal and don't know what everybody else's problem is. So they don't want to take meds and keep thinking that they'll just get better or that they have been cured and can now stop taking meds.

My Mom became another person for about three years. That period of time for her is like a long bad dream that only she remembers. She perceived everybody and everything as a threat or as lying to her or being mean to her. It's taken her quite awhile to accept that she was the one acting freaky.

I hung in there with her and just kept trying to gently explain to her that she was behaving strangely. Sometimes not so gently when she was being abusive towards me. But I am happy to say that she is almost back to her normal self only better. She's always had the signs and mood swings sinceI was little but nobody ever picked up on it.

Hope that helps April!

- Andy

cheers andy, that sound exactly rightlike my friend. Its a awful condition isnt it. love april xx

I'm so glad to see this post...I have been off the board for a few days because my boss, I believe, has this. She has all of the classic symptoms and drives everyone at work "CRAZY"... I don't know of anyone who is not "afraid" of her. People come and go like a drive-thru there. With my fibro it is terrible with the stress. I am 48 and worry with this fibro about picking up and leaving. My position is an Executive Assistant/Office Manager....oh who am I trying to fool....my position is about every position there...I get everything dumped on me. The positive is I've been able to learn much about IT and other things and that is why I've hung in there. I am a single mom and was a stay at home mom for many years, but on outside for over 10 years. I'm just not so sure how much longer I can deal with this. I keep thinking I can help or change her and at times she's ok, and others...she's awful. People always tell me, please don't leave, you keep her calmer most of the time....that time is itty bitty. Why, because I am taking the brunt while others get through the day.

Enough venting....thanks for your post. Not sure what to do from here.... Annie

Hi Annie,

What a tough situation. It was hard enough to get my own mother who loves and trusts me to realize there was a problem. How does one deal with a boss like that? I know one thing that saved my sanity while my Mom was out there was reminding myself on a daily basis that she was sick and was not torturing me on purpose. And forgiving her grievances when they happened. I didn't make excuses for her and still held her accountable but it made it easier not to take it personally and feel wounded all the time.

Good luck my friend and if I think of any bright ideas I 'll let you know. - Andy

My mother and brother are bipolar. I think I've escaped it. My son is a shrink and he says I'm just plan ole onry, but not bipolar.

Mom died 3 yrs ago, and never got proper treatment. She and the family went thru hell because of it.

My bro is finally getting the help he needs and it is so wonderful to have him near normal.

Barb