I am a mum with an SMI (severe mental illness) (bipolar disorder) AMA

[Ama09797]

I am a mum to my 2 DC. DS 6 and DD 3

I have a diagnosis of PTSD and bipolar disorder. I'd quite like to break down some of the stigma so please AMA

Hi from a fellow bipolar mum

@Ama09797 thanks for this thread. I am finding it very informative.

Do you have Bipolar I or II?
What age were you when you were diagnosed?
Do you recognise when your mood changes and can you take steps to reduce the impact on yourself and your family?
Are you able to work?

What doesn’t it say?

I am confused. Do you agree that not unreasonable presumption that SS support the OP? Or not?

Does your husband have any mental health problems? Do you worry about your kids inheriting bipolar?

I think the children of absolutely everyone with a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 should be on at least the first stage of supervision from SS throughout their childhood, yes.

Bipolar 2 and others maybe it could be more individualised. But that might mean they aren't classed as an SMI, meaning that you cant have a diagnosis of Bipolar 2 and require regular, routine intervention for acute episodes. Maybe there needs to be yet another term for someone without the manic history but with extreme enough needs to require lots of intervention.

The whole system needs a complete overhaul and it plays into factors like the 3 people killed in Nottingham/diminished responsibility, the inaccurate diagnosis of ND etc.

We have diluted these diagnoses down and when it comes to SMI in particular, it means that risk isn't being properly assessed and lives are being ruined. And I do mean all round, not just the obvious victims and their families. The person with SMI and their families too.

Sorry to be clear, it doesn't say that the OP should have input from SS. I think one would need to know more about the OP specifically to make that call. That includes her exact diagnosis and mental health history.

If the OP is white and middle class+, then I would not presume that she would be supported by SS irrespective of her diagnosis or history. I would be surprised if someone from a lower socio-economic background was not. Less so nowadays due to funding.

what meds do you take and how many?

I’m late coming across this thread but this resonates so much with me. My father had bipolar and he would come off his medication twice an year and inevitably end up being sectioned. The trauma and anxiety it causes children is underestimated and it’s only as I get older I realise this.

There's nothing pathetic or idiotic about how you felt or thought, most people would have exactly the same reaction even as adults. In fact if my father was still alive I don’t think I’d be able to cope now because as an adult the trauma and memories would trigger me further.

People like the poster who are aware of how their mental health condition can affect children and who get the help they need (and deserve!) to make the most of their situation are to be admired.

Just to say I hear you! I have CPTSD, EUPD, GAD, depression, Psychosis, ADHD - it's like living with the alphabet!
Oh and just editing to say that I'm also under CMHT and SS - and occ health and physio. Bah!

Mental illness doesn't equal Ss involvement. My husband has paranoid schizophrenia and we have no ss involved with our baby.