Similar to loophole I'm a dad to three, except I have one daughter and two sons. My older son who is five asked me the other day why I take so many RXs. My wife jumped in and blurted out "they're for daddy so that he acts normal" with a smirk...that comment wasn't too much of a surprise, I did follow up with my son later and told him daddy can feel kinda moody or anxious if he doesn't take the meds. Later my daughter 9 y/asked I explain more, and I did. I didn't give her the term bipolar ...yet... My said later too that she wanted to keep the bipolar "thing" not noticeable to the kids. First I believe in being honest with them so I'm not going to lie about it, second I can't hide it, I'm moody around them and sometimes it effects how I am to them, unfortunately. I just make sure they know daddy loves them, as I'm more cool tempered I want them to feel open to talking to me about their feelings (my daughter does). I will do everything possible drawing the line at any behavior that would scare them or make them feel anxious or insecure. My older son already has anxiety issues, part of me wonders if I'm related to it. I guess Id say don't hide the diagnosis of bipolar, do everything you can to be a solid foundation for them remain vigilant knowing your emotional state does that effect them yet I've found my kids anyway (so far) to be forgiving enough when I may yell for no reason or I'm too depressed to get off the couch to go outside and play. I guess I'm hoping the combination of honesty on my part, acknowledging to them how I may have made them feel (I've apologized at times) and extra effort later showing its not their fault and they are loved, might keep them from needing to talk to a therapist about me one day. However if they do then that's fine, its not their fault their daddy isn't normal.

bipolar rapid cycling - lamitcal 300mg
panic attacks - clonazepam 4mg
depression/generalized anxiety - lexapro 10mg
add - adderall 55mg

i'm the logic to the screw up to the broken one who fixed it