a bipolar daughter and the family who loves her: Pressure Cooked

About our Daughter

I am mother to four wonderful daughters, ages 17, 19, 21, and 23, and wife to the greatest husband on earth. God has given us a special child to raise one who was diagnosed with early-onset bipolar disorder at the age of seven, though she showed signs of it from the age of fifteen months. She also has ADHD, Sensory Integration Disorder (sensory seeking), Dyslexia, and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder-NOS, all typical comorbidities for a bipolar child. In spite of the trials, she enjoys lacrosse, running (finished her first marathon in October of 2014!), and reading and writing her own books. I will share with you the many joys and sorrows we have faced and will face in the future with the hope that you may find better understanding about this mental illness caused by both chemical and structural abnormalities in the brain. I desire that you will be encouraged by this blog if you are also dealing with a bipolar child. Thank you for reading and sharing in our journey.

How Did You Know She Was Bipolar So Young?

I wrote a long explanation of how we came to this bipolar diagnosis in a child so young under my post of March 19th of 2009. If your child or a child you know bears similarities, please seek out a good psychiatrist and don't wait for "things to get better." Often they will simply get worse, and the longer a child is unmedicated, the more damage their brain can accrue. Early diagnoses and treatment are key to providing these children with a chance at a successful life later as a teen and an adult.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Pressure Cooked

That would describe what Bill and I are feeling right now. Breathe deeply, remember we are not abandoned. I made sure we could pay the mortgage this morning, so that was good, while we wait for funds from a life insurance policy. This is not fun. Yes, all of you out there, make sure you have at least six months worth of salary saved up. You won't think this will happen to you and then it does. So far this has happened twice in about three years!

Yesterday, I spent some Christmas money we received from the in-laws in a "I have to do something nice for myself right now" moment. I felt the need to escape so I got a pedicure and a manicure, and today we will get maid service. Of course getting ready for a maid to come is stressful too when your house is as disorganized and cluttered as mine. Breathe. I have noticed that when I feel extreme anxiety, I can't think at all, my mind just freezes up. That is the worst part I think. I can't stand feeling impotent when there is so much to be done.

So I must go now and attack the downstairs somehow. Breathe.

I saw a double rainbow in the sky yesterday for the briefest moment, but very bright, and then it was gone. I remembered God's promises to us and reminded myself that our feelings can't be trusted as much as the truths we know.

1 comment:

Anna said...: Hang in there Megan. My thoughts and good wishes are with you.; December 1, 2010 at 6:52 PM