I have 5 children...16, 13, 8, 5 and 2...and have explained to one extent or another my mental illness. From "Sometimes Mommy's sad and needs some extra time alone" to "Remember when I was in the hospital, that is why I take meds everyday." My 16yo fully understands everything, I just haven't named it for him. My 13yo is getting there too. I wonder, how did you sit your teens down and explain bipolar? It's something they're going to have to look out for as well, now that they're reaching their late teens.
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Andrea
Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar II with psychosis
Meds: Effexor, Abilify, Seroquel, Wellbutrin