Dannyk
11-11-2006, 11:06 PM
Sometimes I just feel like my life is one big mess. I hate having BP. I feel like I can't explain to people I know because of the stigma attached with it all. One of my doctors told me that if I attend a 12 step program it will all go away. She doesn't believe in BP and that it's all in our head. I felt like she was chastising me for it. I don't think I want to go see her again. I would like nothing more than for this to all go away.
One thing I am not clear about...is it a genetic thing? My mom has obviously be BP as long as I have been alive but she won't go to any doctor for it. I don't know how she does it. She was very very abusive to me growing up...in ways that now days you would go to prison for the same thing. To this day she will be either manic or severly depress. She doesn't want to talk about it so I don't pry.
Can it be passed from generation to generation? I have two daughters and I am praying they don't become the same way. I don't know what I would do.
I'm sorry for ranting.
Dan
One thing I am not clear about...is it a genetic thing? My mom has obviously be BP as long as I have been alive but she won't go to any doctor for it. I don't know how she does it. She was very very abusive to me growing up...in ways that now days you would go to prison for the same thing. To this day she will be either manic or severly depress. She doesn't want to talk about it so I don't pry.
Can it be passed from generation to generation? I have two daughters and I am praying they don't become the same way. I don't know what I would do.
I'm sorry for ranting.
Dan
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kiehn
11-11-2006, 11:29 PM
Hi Danny
I hear ya, inregards to the stigma. Sometimes it's just easier to say you're having a bad day. Im sorry your mother wont get help and for your childhood. It took me a very long time to realize both my parents suffer from
some mental illness. Im certain my Dad is bipolar and I think my mother has some form of schz. My mother and father deny most everything that happened and it got pretty extensive so I can relate. To answer your question about genetic's. It can be passed on but not always, sometime just the gene is passed on sometime not. As long as your aware worrying about it isnt going to change the future. Personally finding the right doctor can be frustrating. Dont give up keep in mind a psych-nurse can evaluate and treat
just as like a phychiatist but often they have more time to give and they dont charge as much. Good Luck, hope this helped some.
I hear ya, inregards to the stigma. Sometimes it's just easier to say you're having a bad day. Im sorry your mother wont get help and for your childhood. It took me a very long time to realize both my parents suffer from
some mental illness. Im certain my Dad is bipolar and I think my mother has some form of schz. My mother and father deny most everything that happened and it got pretty extensive so I can relate. To answer your question about genetic's. It can be passed on but not always, sometime just the gene is passed on sometime not. As long as your aware worrying about it isnt going to change the future. Personally finding the right doctor can be frustrating. Dont give up keep in mind a psych-nurse can evaluate and treat
just as like a phychiatist but often they have more time to give and they dont charge as much. Good Luck, hope this helped some.
Happy Girl
11-12-2006, 10:13 AM
Hi Danny! :wave:
My understanding is that BP is genetically linked. One of the very first questions I ever answered when I sought help for myself and my kids was if I had anyone in my family who battled a mental disorder.
I, myself am BP and 2 of my 3 children are BP. My Grandmother was BP, and she took her life when I was 15 years old. My uncle is also BP. I am SURE there are others in my family who are undiagnosed BP for I can see the symptoms. It's funny that in a family FULL of medical professionals, we just don't talk about BP at all...there is still the stigma & shame.
Just keep a loving, watchful eye on your daughters. I think you are an AWESOME Dad to already wonder/worry about your daughters, attempting to shield them from BP.
My 14 yo son was diagnosed with BP BEFORE I was diagnosed. I had to come to terms with his diagnosis BEFORE my own! I will say, it took me @ 2 years to accept his diagnosis for I just did NOT want to believe he was BP. I "could" accept a diagnosis of depression for him, but BP for me meant he would take his own life, like my Grandmother did!
As far as the stigma attached, I HONESTLY do NOT tell people (unless I have a close relationship with them) that I am BP. I hear comments about patients with BP made almost daily in my work place, and little do those I work with know, that they are speaking of me!
I agree with you about your doc...ditching him/her sounds like a positive thing to do. You NEED ALL of the support you can get with BP. Unfortunately those in the medical field don't always understand BP disorder.
Hang in there you Great Dad YOU!
Jackie :D
Sorry for going on & on!
My understanding is that BP is genetically linked. One of the very first questions I ever answered when I sought help for myself and my kids was if I had anyone in my family who battled a mental disorder.
I, myself am BP and 2 of my 3 children are BP. My Grandmother was BP, and she took her life when I was 15 years old. My uncle is also BP. I am SURE there are others in my family who are undiagnosed BP for I can see the symptoms. It's funny that in a family FULL of medical professionals, we just don't talk about BP at all...there is still the stigma & shame.
Just keep a loving, watchful eye on your daughters. I think you are an AWESOME Dad to already wonder/worry about your daughters, attempting to shield them from BP.
My 14 yo son was diagnosed with BP BEFORE I was diagnosed. I had to come to terms with his diagnosis BEFORE my own! I will say, it took me @ 2 years to accept his diagnosis for I just did NOT want to believe he was BP. I "could" accept a diagnosis of depression for him, but BP for me meant he would take his own life, like my Grandmother did!
As far as the stigma attached, I HONESTLY do NOT tell people (unless I have a close relationship with them) that I am BP. I hear comments about patients with BP made almost daily in my work place, and little do those I work with know, that they are speaking of me!
I agree with you about your doc...ditching him/her sounds like a positive thing to do. You NEED ALL of the support you can get with BP. Unfortunately those in the medical field don't always understand BP disorder.
Hang in there you Great Dad YOU!
Jackie :D
Sorry for going on & on!
jgr01
11-12-2006, 04:05 PM
DannyK,
yep, there hasn't been a gene per se identified but it is the most commonly passed down mental illness in families - i have 5 BP / MD / Schiz in my family and my father just committed suicide - which i thought was as an alcoholic but now I'm not so sure....since the 2 are linked are linked as well. Problem was i didn't live with him so can't really tell if he was up/down etc. He was just always p*ssed.
Juliet
yep, there hasn't been a gene per se identified but it is the most commonly passed down mental illness in families - i have 5 BP / MD / Schiz in my family and my father just committed suicide - which i thought was as an alcoholic but now I'm not so sure....since the 2 are linked are linked as well. Problem was i didn't live with him so can't really tell if he was up/down etc. He was just always p*ssed.
Juliet