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Amy1972Casual Contributor
I joined sane today after stumbling across this via a recommendation on another support group I am part of for myself.
My adult son was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 about 3 months ago. He is very challenging to live with at times & I struggle knowing how best to navigate our relationship. I am his Mum. Looking to see if anyone else out there in same shoes as me so I can learn & also not feel so alone.
Thanks for listening
In response to: Hello
tymeModerator
How are you today @Amy1972 ?
Hope things are still settled.
I'm curious to know a bit more about how previous boundary setting sort of just didn't work?
In response to: Hello
PeppyPattiSenior Contributor
Hello @Amy1972
Just to let you know I hear you honey. My oldest son at 21 ended up in a locked ward in Brisbane which I would tentatively say ... Sounds like bipolar symptoms for a month via drug and alcohol use. He was at Uni. He allowed me to visit him once a year from Perth, this is 13 years ago when I originally joined Sane forums - around that time for support.
The advice I got all those years ago is just to be a Mum. It was terribly hard. Iv had to let go, feel strong in myself - I feel like iv missed out on years of not being present in his life. He has reached out to my brother and his wife and not bothered with me. To my mum and not been present in my life. . It has bothered me. He's forgotten any good times from his childhood.
Fast forward 13 years, after several years, he completed a Philosophy degree - getting terribly sick several times, but he didn't end up in hospital again.
Today, He's got a lovely girlfriend is about to complete a lawyer's degree.
This is completely his journey, it's his success story and no one else's.
But on looking back I can see how mental illness has directed his life. Iv been over to visiting him, placed his medication on his kitchen table and said, " okay, this is here, you take it if you want but if you don't want to it's okay... Then been the brunt of him not being medicated.
He's now 33 years old,
In response to: Re: Hello
Amy1972Casual Contributor
Thank you for sharing your story. That sounds really tough.
I agree with the 'just be a Mum' bit & it is their journey not ours. We have our lives.
Literally you just wish they were normal. Whatever that is.
Take care xx
In response to: Re: Hello
Amy1972Casual Contributor
Thank you for sharing your story. That sounds really tough.
I agree with the just be a Mum bit & it is their journey not ours. We have our lives.
Literally you just wish they were normal. Whatever that is.
Take care xx
In response to: Hello
PeppyPattiSenior Contributor
Dearest @Amy1972
As I write, my biggest woe is that I am not present in his life.
But I feel that by your strength to daily focus on boundaries is going to really help you.
May I suggest something? Have you a hobby you enjoy ? I get a lot of happiness sewing quilts. They are only squares but I'm about to start my own Etsy store.
In response to: Hello
TilzSenior Contributor
@Amy1972 welcome to the forum. You are a strong mum. We are always with you ❤️
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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