[soul searching]

bipolar runs i n my family recently my son was diagnosised with it. I had always thought he had ADHD. So, here i am again soul searching for answer to the burning questions. Can i learn to cope with my son and his bipolar and still maintain mental stability?

[blueoctober]

Welcome. If you don't already I would suggest speaking to a therapist. You may want to join a face to face support group for family members of those diagnosed. Reach out to your support network, take time for yourself etc.

The book in my signature is for family members/friends etc. of those diagnosed it's excellent.

[SunReach]

Yes, I would say try to educate yourself and be supportive but at the same time don't neglect your own mental welfare - a support group and/or a therapist is a good idea. Something else that I asked my family to do to help me is actually rest in the knowledge that the best help they can give is acceptance, love, and someone to 'be there' even though they don't really understand what's going on...And I think you need to believe that you can cope to be able to encourage your son that he can cope too. Don't be afraid. Just take it easy and have faith, it won't be easy but getting to grips with it will be so rewarding

Take care

[wing]

ss, first of all let me say how sorry i am that your son has been diagnosed. I know that is a blow to you and your family. You didn't say in your note:do you have bipolar disorder, too?

[soul searching]

yes i have bipolar also thats how i knew to have him checked for it he acts just like i did as a child. I thought at first it was ADHD then come to realize they diagnosised him wrong.