[Lilylover]

Hi all,

I am new to psych central and was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder. On day 2 of meds (cipralex, valproic acid, and risperidone). I usually have a very close relationship with my mom but I have no idea how to tell her about my diagnosis (she has no idea I've been seeing doctors and a psychiatrist). When I was younger she was falsely diagnosed with bipolar and was bounced around from doctor to doctor and I know it was a really hard time for her.
If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Falsely diagnosed and bounced from dr. to dr.

Sounds like those great comments from the poli corporate suck ups who say the US has the greatest healthcare in the world are not completely correct. It's definitely the most expensive, but it sure as hell ain't the best.

[Rick7892]

It is great that you have a good relationship with your mother!

Because of her experience with being falsely diagnosed, I can see why you are hesitant to tell her of your own experience. Some questions for you to consider: By not telling her, will your diagnosis and treatment become a wall between you and her? Could your hesitancy to tell her be because of your own hesitancy in accepting your bipolar diagnosis? Looking deep at our feelings in telling others about our being bipolar may reveal some of our issues with our diagnosis.

Good luck!

[Lilylover]

Originally Posted by Rick7892

It is great that you have a good relationship with your mother!

Because of her experience with being falsely diagnosed, I can see why you are hesitant to tell her of your own experience. Some questions for you to consider: By not telling her, will your diagnosis and treatment become a wall between you and her? Could your hesitancy to tell her be because of your own hesitancy in accepting your bipolar diagnosis? Looking deep at our feelings in telling others about our being bipolar may reveal some of our issues with our diagnosis.

Good luck!

Thank you for your suggestion Rick7892, for the most part I believe I've accepted it. Just happy to finally be getting the help I've needed for years. This happens to be something I want to tell her about, just hesitant because of her previous experiences. I have already shared my diagnosis with friends that I'm close to as well as my brother, just not sure how to bring it up to her.

[~Christina]

I would just wait. See how the medication help you. or you might have side effects that require a change in medications...

Based on her own problems being tossed back and forth.. Its mentally exhausting Im sure and it would make Bipolar a hot button for her

Personally I would just wait until I am stable a while so that if your Mom freaks out or gets upset you will be able to show her X amount of time being stable .

Welcome to PC I hope you will benefit from all the support and info to be found here

[NoIdeaWhatToDo]

I like Christina's advice. When you are ready to tell her, I would be straightforward: "Mom, I've got something I've been wanting to share with you, but have been hesitant. I'm worried it might be a bit of a difficult subject for you or bring up some bad memories for you, but it's important to me to talk it over with you. I've been seeing a therapist for X amount of time, and have been diagnosed as bipolar. I've found a good medication that has helped me to manage it successfully for X amount of time now."

I just had this conversation with my own mother this past weekend. The hardest thing all weekend was finding 'the right time' to tell her. I finally realized it's not something that easily drops into conversation. So I said something like the above. It went well for us...hope it does for you, too.