My mil is bi polar. Diagnosed since dh's birth and was on lithium untill last year. To cut a very long story short, she has always had highs and lows but we're manageable. She relies on dh so much. He's an only child and mil is divorced with her parents and brother both past away.
She could be described as an eccentric. Very hippy like and creative. She smokes pot like cigarettes and does odd jobs. She has never had any responsibility and has always been bailed out by her family or friends. Untill now.
Dh is th only one left she will listen to and she has come off lithium. We have had a horrific year with her. Massive highs and extream behaviour in the spring summer. Really manic (gave her house away, blew thousands Ect) and a very bad low over Christmas resulting in her 1st overdose. She has never attempted before.
Dh And I live in another city away from her (she lives in s) I am pg with our 1st dc (26 weeks) dh has just had a great promotion, but is under a lot of stress. We are living apart and have been since november as he is in the new city (call it city b) i will join him there, i am in our old house untill my mat leave starts. (call it city n) It's been crap but it's only short term and worth it in the long run. Mil just puts so so so much on my dh. Guilt tripping, telling him how much wants to die, generally leaning on him a lot. He works so hard and then goes and sorts out her (city s is about 2 hours form city b) it's his mum and I do care about her but I'm just getting so mad.
I'm mad because she doesn't help herself. She will wallow and rely on everyone doing everything for her. o much of her behaviour is passed off as the illness that I just think her personality and the illness are now one thing. I know she is ill, but I just want to shake her. We have to shut up and smileayr so much of her behaviour, and I see what it does to dh when he's dealt with her. It's too much for him but she just rejects anyone else and calls him. I'm so angry at her but then I feel guilty.
I'm sorry for waffling. I'm tired, I just want to know how much control she has over her behaviour. I have no metal health issues in my family. Am I being to hard on her? Can she pull herself together a little bit. There has been no progress in the 8 years we have been together. Add a baby in the mix and something has to give. We need to find a way to deal with her better, we need her to be more self sufficient