Hello & Welcome. I am new to the forum too. In fact I am new too BP. I have had it for a long while, but was very resistant to accepting that I might actually have it. I used to have VERY negative connotation of BP from someone in my past whom I know had it. Plus I viewed people with mental illness as using them as an excuse not to deal with their problems (don't hate me everyone: After all I KNOW better now). So I understand what you mean when you feel like admitting and getting help SEEMS like a weekness. But with the addition of stress, like you said, there is no minimizing the effects and hence the need for help or treatment. It is NOT a weakness to do this!!!Especially if you are, as you say, a father and a husband. That means you have a responsibility to these people to try to be the best father and husband you can be, and you can't necessarily do that if you are hiding from a serious problem you have. I mean the good news is that there are things you can do to help with it, there are some treatments...
I think the fact that you sought out help on this forum is a sign of strength. We are all only human and all have our strengths and weaknesses. I it a strength to know and admit you weaknesses : so no shame, do what you got to do and know you'll get tons of support here to help you along the way.
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