[widgets]

I told my mum via text yesterday i wasnt coping with college and she said some harsh stuff, i told her about the Bipolar, she didnt know.
She text back saying "oh this just sums it up, a bloody eastenders character."
so i just didnt text her back.
So if ur not from the UK we have a soap opera called eastenders with a character called Stacey who has bipolar disorder.
I was thinking, i'm sure after a year of seeing counsellors, doctors, psychs and all sorts they would rule out "trying to be Stacey SLater," syndrome.

[sugahorse1]

I'm sorry your mom responded so harshly and didn't make an attempt to understand. Give her some for it to sink in, then maybe offer her some literature to understand better. Or ask your T to explain to her.
I've chosen to withhold from my parents - the last they knew I'd been hospitalised for depression.

((((((((((widgets))))))))))
So sorry to hear how your mother reacted. Hopefully as time goes by, she will learn to understand and accept you for everything that you are, and that includes the bipolar.

Sugahorse made a good suggestion as well with asking the T to explain it to her...it could be a very eye-opening experience for your mother.

[Auqinu]

Moms are supposed to love you no matter what. This makes me think, possibly, that your mother went strait to wondering what she did wrong and how she is to blame for you being bipolar. If there was something she could have or should have done different to change the outcome. While you did not attack her in telling her what was going on in your life she may feel attacked in her own head and she may have just been being defensive even against her own thoughts or feelings.
You will need time to accept and understand the disease as will she. Bipolar disorder is just like any other lifelong disease, it affects not only the one who has it but anyone who loves you.
Good luck

[Miss Laura]

Hey Widgets,

I am worried about the whole "Stacey Slater" character as WE are all so different. Being barnished with a brush that is what a character is, is just not good enough.

My Psych told me I had to tell my folks as they will be able to help me out. He gave me his number so as to give them it incase they need to talk to him. However I have choesen not to give them it as I feel its a vilation on my confidentiality I am nearly 26 years old. My parents dont need to actually know.

Maybe talk to your Mum again... I think she is just gonna need to get time to get use to your diagnosis

[lonegael]

I know, my mom has had problems with my diagnosis eversince I came home with it. I think it comes from too much TV, stigma and trying to believe she knows me better than she does It seems to be a real blow to her to learn she didn't understand me as well as she thought. also, "Bipolar" and "violent" are equivalent in her books, so she is also pretty rattled by it, unlike my father, who as a physician, has known a lot of other professionals with the disorder and is not at all phased by it as long as I take my little pills It could be that this is how she can manage the thought of you having this problem until she can digest it enough for you to talk to her about it. It might make it more dealable for her, more manageable in some way. You might try giving her some stuff to read about it and ask her what she thinks later. Hugggssss and much sympathy.

[widgets]

The thing is her dad has it and she knows exactly what it is, she forced me to go and see psychs when i was 13,14,15 because she knew there was something wrong with me, she paid for me to see counsellors and all sorts, she got angry when they said it was just a phase, she got angry when i refused to talk to them!
Now its like she's bored of it, i know she just wants me to actually get on with my life, but i'm struggling so much to 'keep going' every day and she refuses to see why.
She said i sit and feel sorry for myself, when i actually dont, i go to work when i am meant to and try my best with college, i cant force myself to act like she wants me to act!

[BlackPup]

Sorry about your mum's reaction.... it must be really hard to take. Please be kind to yourself, this is a hard time. Make little goals and give yourself rewards.

[sugahorse1]

I agree with Blackpup - You cannot influence your mom's reaction. Let things settle down for a while, and then you can try pick up again, educating and informing her. Don't be hard on yourself. It was brave of you to disclose and a big step forward. Well done!

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by widgets

The thing is her dad has it and she knows exactly what it is, she forced me to go and see psychs when i was 13,14,15 ...
Now its like she's bored of it...

Really sad to hear about this conflict, Widgets.

My dad is 88 now, and I'm 45. He doesn't want to know about my battle with bipolar disorder. He has never wanted to know about anything emotional. He pretends it doesn't exist. He'll talk about the weather or the news or whiskey, but never deal with the fact that 3 of his kids are on meds for bipolar and the fourth is in denial about her depression, and 2 grandkids are suicidal on a regular basis.
Sure, none of us are his dependants now, but it still hurts to see him pretend nothing is wrong.