Bipolar and Support

Recently, I had discovered I am bipolar. I have decided my goal was to make people more aware of this or any mental illness. Make people realized just how misunderstood this disease it.

Last night I wrote one of the first stories and it was later discovered by a friend on Facebook. She contacted me immediately and had many questions. Many questions concerning her daughter. Things I was never aware of.

As I said before, I am far from being a doctor but I was able to speak from much of my own experience. I was also able to offer any information I may have if she needed it. Believe me, I have the numbers memorized. Especially Crisis.

During my stay in the hospital I went to many very helpful group sessions and learned a lot. One of the main subjects was support . You had to have support whether is was a parent, a spouse, your children, or if necessary a trained professional. I was also informed that many times that support by family can be very strong when you are at your worse but fade as you get better. Reminded me of when someone dies. Everyone is there for the funeral to support you and offers to be there. Then the funeral is over and everyone is gone.

This has happened to me. All I will say is my husband is still and always there. He calls to check on me and reminds me how great I am doing. He listens if I break down and when I come back from a much needed walk he is always there.

In the situation with my friend she has tried and tried to be supportive. The deal is her daughter is not facing the fact that she has a problem. She has been diagnosed with bipolar but is fighting help and support in every way. At times she calls her mother every name in the book and has physically attacked her own brother. This woman has a daughter and is pregnant with another child. This woman may lose her children.

For myself, at this time I am taking my medications, I am exercising and once again feeling very motivated. I am keeping myself busy, visiting friends and I can honestly say I feel the best I have in a long time. A long time mean years. I am making progress.

I have family that was there when I was in the hospital but now where are they. I can visit my gran children any time they are home but I can not take them overnight. I try to be patient and understand but I do not find them trying to understand me. They are not trying to understand my disease. I used to have these children almost every weekend.

So this is my point. I need to stress how much support is needed when it comes to these diseases. Support is needed through anything in life but when it comes to mental illness it seems much easier to look the other way.

As far as my friend's daughter goes. It may come to the point of taking her children or calling the police who will hopefully, give her a choice of mental health or jail.

As far as I am concerned. My family has about a week or two left and then I will meet with them. I will meet with them if i have to corner them but we will talk. They will ask questions. They will try to understand because I guess my first quest in my journey will have to be my family.