Gangster Shit

I struggle with what is normal rebellious teenager and what might be the beginning signs of a mood disorder.  I don't want to allow symptoms to be ignored. I really have tried to do better than my parents did, but I am seeing an extremely head strong child with a fuck ton of attitude.  For now I chalk it up to hormones and angst.

It is really  hard to be a parent with Bipolar. My anxiety makes me irritable and kids pick up on that. My  bipolar makes me angry and short with the kids and that is not how I want to treat my kids.  

I worry that I have passed this disorder down to my kids. I know that it isn't a 100 guarantee, but even the small percentage has a great deal of weight to it. I try to be honest with my kids about their chance of becoming bipolar and I try to show them that it is not a death sentence. I model taking my medicines, going to therapy, walking and managing my sleep. Unfortunately, I have bad days and show them the down side to this nasty disorder. I tell them about balance good days to bad days and that even bad days have an ending. 

Check out the interview with Dyane Harwood author of Birth of a New Brain, Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder and read how she speak with her children on if they get a mood disorder. 

Click here to read the interview:  https://www.mentalmelissa.com/blog/birth-of-a-new-brain-interview