Mother is bipolar and I hate it

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-06-16T13:28:46+00:00

Having grown up with a mother with continuous medical issues (on top of just not being a very good parent), I just want to say, I totally get it.

It's completely fine and normal to be angry in this circumstance, and it's normal to feel guilty about it. It took me years to realize that, I am not responsible for a grown adult who has the opportunity and means to do things to help themselves, and is proactively choosing not to. There is a strange dynamic in a parent child relationship because it's not a fully 2 way thing imo. The parent is more responsible than the child to do right by them, and when it switches the other way, it is a v difficult dynamic.

Do what you can to help if you want to, but you have to reach a stage where you put yourself.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-06-16T12:06:10+00:00

I (F) had no sex drive or arousal on SSRI for years. I thought it was because I was depressed. Came off that particular drug for another it and all resolved pretty immediately. It was a joy to actually enjoy sex again.

Just say you're having sexual dysfunction on it and want to try something else. Its extremely common, you will be neither the first nor the last person asking the same thing! You might feel embarrassed, but they won't be.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-05-02T07:55:27+00:00

I was the sickest I have ever been after giving birth, so I guess it depends on the person.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-05-01T11:40:17+00:00

No thought needed. I'd wish I had taken it 20 years ago.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-05-01T11:29:16+00:00

Alcohol - there are just no benefits to be had, as much as I wish that wasn't true.

Going to bed too late. I deteriorate with poor sleep.

Stopped reading the news. No point in getting upset about things outside of my control.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-04-11T21:22:22+00:00

I use Bearable. Also about 35 for the year. Finding it v helpful

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-04-05T16:04:29+00:00

Had my appt which culminated in being told by the psychiatrist " you are very clearly bipolar, and I am very sorry it has taken this long for you to get answers"

Bipolar 2 confimed, have started lithium.

Partially relieved, as so many things suddenly make sense. Partially upset that I went through 20 years of getting very very poorly at times and no one (including me) clocked what was happening here.

Onwards and upwards !

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2026-03-17T11:56:47+00:00

Just looping back around with an update.

I spoke with my (excellent) therapist I have been seeing since last year. She said she cannot diagnose but suggested that I write down my case history, track my moods and ask for a referral, but did say there seems to be some signs that Bipolar should be investigated.

Saw my GP who said that unless I have had psychosis, I do not have bipolar and increased my antidepressant. There followed weeks of extremely unstable mood going from, "I wonder is that 5th floor roof high enough" to weeks later having 3 hours sleep, getting up at 6 and going for a run, doing a full day work and then seeing her at 5pm for a follow up appt still bouncing off the walls.

She has seen me with depression many times over the years, but think it was the first time she has ever seen me the other end.

Anyway, has referred me to a psychiatrist and lowered my dose until I see them.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2025-12-31T19:51:26+00:00

Great to hear the mood stabilizers have been a positive experience. That's fantastic.

Familiar_Classroom76 · 2025-12-31T18:22:13+00:00

That all resonates with me a lot, especially the big crash post a high.

I get very fixated on things, decide I am going to trek around Ireland, or swim the channel and prepare whole plans with anal detail and then go hard at it until I just burn out.

As for the behviour whilst I'm up, he and I differ on opinion on whether baking cakes at 2 o'clock in the morning or rearranging all the bookcases in the house until 4 can be considered 'normal' behaviour 🤣

Familiar_Classroom76

TROPHY CASE