[ellipse]

Okay, I was recently diagnosed as bipolar (recently, as in this month). I've told my three closest friends (only said it directly to one, and I don't know if the other two understood my hinting correctly), but I realized something: my younger sister is obviously clueless. Does she even need to know this information? And if so, how the hell do I tell her? She's only 12, for God's sake!

GAAAAAAAH!! What do I do?

[3kittycat]

I have a fourteen year old brother. I have never sat down and talked to him about my disorder. He does, however, know that I have mental health issues and substance abuse issues. I felt it important to tell him about our susceptibility to alcoholism. I'm not sure that he would need to know about the bipolar disorder right now. How old are you? Are you living with that sister?

[ellipse]

I'm 14, and we live together. We're pretty close, but I'm not sure if she's totally aware of my issues. My mom completely confused her today because we were talking about the visit with the psychiatrist, but we were using her first name, as well as my therapist's. My sister doesn't even know who either of them is, so she's fully confused.

She is completely clueless, and I almost think I should tell her. It's obvious my parents aren't ready to even touch that one; my mom's still thinking I'll grow out of it.

[3kittycat]

Ellipse - I am sorry that you have to deal with this at such a young age. However, with a correct diagnosis you are closer to getting treatment for it.
I would maybe say that your brain works a little differently, that sometimes your happier and sadder, etc. But that you are going to a doctor who can make it better. I would do something simplified like that. Just my 2 cents.

[ellipse]

That could work....

The only reason I think of telling her anything further is because: 1) she's in 7th grade, 2) she's pretty smart, and 3) she'll tell me to be more honest (that's in slightly nicer words than she'd actually use). I know she'll be annoyed, but probably more at my parents for not explaining who all these people are. I think I might have to tell her soon, when I start the pills, because the whole weight gain/acne/hand tremor/blood test thing would really irk her out if I didn't explain.

[Rich_B]

The acne could be normal teens and not meds the weight gain may not happen ! Good luck with the meds !

[Bellax3]

Hi, I'm 15

I would tell her, because a lot of people with bipolar inherited it, so It may be good to have her alerted, I think she would understand. Just tell her that you are bipolar, which means you have bad mood swings that you can't control. Like, you get sad for no reason, and then you get happy for no reason, and sometimes It gets out of control. I would stay away from the term mental illness, because it just carries a bad stigma. If she is wondering about the therapist and meds, tell her that doctors think the reason you get the mood swings is because a person's brain normally releases chemicals that make you happy when good things happen, and the chemical levels go way down when bad things happen, and for some reason your brain doesn't control the chemicals right, and randomly sends out the chemicals, or randomally hold back the chemicals, so the meds help control the chemicals, and the therapist is to make sure the meds are working right, and so that you have someone to talk to about everything, someone that can help you deal, and adjust your meds if they think a change is needed to better serve you.

I hope that helps.
12 year olds are smarter then ya think