[invaluduser]

Have been diagnosed Bipolar II and also came to the conclusion through discussions with doctor that I have been abused as a child. Question is does either cases cause one to not grow up in certain aspects? Mentally, emotionally, etc?

[Pearl9327]

I have bipolar II and my upbringing was emotionally, and sometimes physically, abusive. I believe it triggered a lot of my irate behavior, deep depression, and poor self-esteem while growing up. I spoke to one person with bipolar and she believes certain environments trigger bipolar episodes, so having an abusive upbringing could stir the symptoms, I believe, at an earlier age than someone who had a kinder upbringing. That's my belief, anyway.

[BlueInanna]

BP is biological, but I think social environment can definitely hugely influence coping skills, self esteem, resilience, family support. Like Pearl says above, I think abuse would absolutely stir up symptoms/trigger episodes.
I was not abused, except for a few rare occasions subject to dad's rage and mom's withdrawn depression. It seems really minor compared to what so many go through.
But everything was very hush-hush about dad's mood swings, random alcohol binges & random cheating on mom. He was a very high functioning bipolar, and i'm not sure he was ever officially diagnosed.
But that hush-hush environment played a huge part in my sister and I both not getting help sooner. And that was bad for my self-esteem, like I just felt horrible and was supposed to stay contained and keep it a secret.

You can heal from it, the therapist will help get to the bottom of it all.

Re-reading your question - does either cases cause one to not grow up in certain aspects? Mentally, emotionally, etc?

If you're asking about not growing up, like not maturing as well as other "regular" people may seem? I think so for sure. If your needs weren't met as a child, there are a lot of gaps to fill. I'm not a therapist, she would know best. But if your needs weren't met, you were running in survival mode & had to teach yourself things that you really needed a caring role model to teach. This is very deep, I hope it's not totally triggering. Work with your therapist, they will help you. You can heal, you can relearn coping skills. This group here is really supportive kind people, many have been through what you're going through. Welcome and hugs

[Aquarius33]

I was molested by father at 4 n date raped at 17 when I was still a virgin. It has made me not trust people, n have low self esteem. I also witnessed my dad beatin my mom, chockin her with phone cord n chase her round the house with a bad. So I dont like loud noices n im paranoid someones gonna come in my house n rape n kill me. High anxiety I guess.

[thedayturnedaround]

As a psychology student and abuse victim myself, I spent some time researching this subject in reading peer reviewed studies. The outcome from abuse is largely post-traumatic stress and self-esteem issues, as well as reinforcing the environment conducive to developing depression, anxiety, and mental illness, including bipolar disorder. Probably what you are referring to is lacking maturity in certain areas due to abuse, but I believe this would be case-by-case if it were to occur. It is certainly possible if dysfunctional parental behavior suppressed a child's natural maturation processes.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I had a lot of trauma and sexual abuse. Plus both parents alcoholics.
I went out on my own at age 16.
I think it's not helpful to a developing mind. Can it make a person more likely to suffer mental problems? Probably.