How to make up with my daughters after periods of bipolar depression: [I Bipolar] Is there more...

Kids are really smart and usually do well with truth and age appropriate information. I'd ask your kids if they are interested in your diagnosis and then educate them. Their fear, which is coming through as anger, could be in fact a fear of the unknown. Show them books, Ted talks, anything with information. Maybe books or a support group for the families of bipolar or mentally ill family members. NAMI is a great organization that specializes in families with a mentally ill member. Hang in there. Asking this question tells me you are a good dad who is trying his best.

lulaluboo

𝐎𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝. 𝐈𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭
(つ .•́ _ʖ •̀.)つ

HootyTheNightOwl

Just how much do they know about your bipolar disorder and the way that it affects you???

They are at an age now, where they need to learn about it and you are going to have to open up to them so that they can understand what it's like for you on the inside, at the same time as accepting your part in the pain that they are feeling. It may be worth reassuring them that nothing that happened was their fault and that there was nothing they could do to prevent it.

They may also feel reassured if you sit down together and plan out what you will all do in the event that this happens again. If you have a plan as a family and each person plays their part in ensuring that you get the help that you need and they know to ring this trusted adult.

Since they are in therapy right now, are you able to be involved with that and talk it through with the therapists that they are seeing? They may be able to help you to get the ball rolling on all that.

Mindful · 56-60, F

Sincere honest talk.
If you have a medical diagnosis, they will work they it with you.

Do you forgive others? Or do you hold grudges. If you are forgiving with them they will be forgiving with you. It might take time.

Also: be strong. Children want to see your strength as often as possible . Don’t be a whimp

Notladylike

Sounds like you did the best you could during those times and one day they will understand that. But for now I think it’s important you sit with their feelings, reflect/acknowledge that they felt angry, hurt , abandoned whatever else it was without trying to explain your side. Remember they are just kids trying to process the trauma so just try and keep a safe space for them as their dad and it’s going to take time. You are doing so well mate!

HootyTheNightOwl

Heyho... I can't respond to your reply (he blocked me) - so I started another comment thread.

I don't mind helping and supporting you as best as I can. It's helpful for me to get some insight into bipolar disorder from the angle of someone who is going through it... even though I can no longer handle stress anymore on medical grounds myself.

thedarkshadow · M

Thank you @notladylike @mindful @becksta @dragonfly46 @lubaluboo

Reading and processing all these encouraging words and wise advice. Will respond more soon.

grateful for your support

Iwillwait · M

May I ask how the manic episode resulted in your hospitalization?