any suggestions for parenting when one parent has a mental illness

[amy_o]

I am not really sure how I want to word this so bear with me...

Our situation is the opposite, I am the parent with the mental illness, Bipolar as well as a matter of fact. DH and I spent alot of time talking before TTC about how we would manage episodes of my illness and the like both in pregnancy and after the birth.
I have also spent a lot of time over the years learning about my illness and how to manage and reduce the risk of episodes.

We have recently come through and epsiode and although I am not a hundred percent yet I can see that all our planning paid off. But having said that we have a fantastic care team of a psychologist, psychartirist, Baby care nurse who have helped imensely. All this was accessed through my local community health center.

My advice would be:

Always remember that it is an ILLNESS, he has no control over it. I know that may seem a cop out but it is true. And when you are in the midst of an episode (which is sounds as if he might be to me from what I read) you can not see reason.

Seek out your local community mental health team. I am not sure where abouts you are but your local hospital should be able to put you in contact with them, the offer all levels of support and care, we would have been lost with out them. They are our rock. They have social workers, psychologists, Dr's. The aim is for care and healthy living in the community.

Find a really good GP, who is trained in mental health, there are special courses they can do. You want someone trained not just interested they can help you with medications and managagement much better as well as offer CBT.

Find someone be it your GP or a psychologist to start some CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therpy) it is tough and about changing thought patterns but effective.

Have a safety plan for if he goes in to a full blown manic episode.

I hope some of that helps. I could offer a whole heap of other insights but Bethany is calling!!
Good luck and please let me know if I can ever answer a question or help in anyway after years of this rollercoaster I think I have seen and done it all!!! (including all the meds!!!)

[*Belle*]

I am not really sure how I want to word this so bear with me...

Our situation is the opposite, I am the parent with the mental illness, Bipolar as well as a matter of fact. DH and I spent alot of time talking before TTC about how we would manage episodes of my illness and the like both in pregnancy and after the birth.
I have also spent a lot of time over the years learning about my illness and how to manage and reduce the risk of episodes.

We have recently come through and epsiode and although I am not a hundred percent yet I can see that all our planning paid off. But having said that we have a fantastic care team of a psychologist, psychartirist, Baby care nurse who have helped imensely. All this was accessed through my local community health center.

My advice would be:

Always remember that it is an ILLNESS, he has no control over it. I know that may seem a cop out but it is true. And when you are in the midst of an episode (which is sounds as if he might be to me from what I read) you can not see reason.

Seek out your local community mental health team. I am not sure where abouts you are but your local hospital should be able to put you in contact with them, the offer all levels of support and care, we would have been lost with out them. They are our rock. They have social workers, psychologists, Dr's. The aim is for care and healthy living in the community.

Find a really good GP, who is trained in mental health, there are special courses they can do. You want someone trained not just interested they can help you with medications and managagement much better as well as offer CBT.

Find someone be it your GP or a psychologist to start some CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therpy) it is tough and about changing thought patterns but effective.

Have a safety plan for if he goes in to a full blown manic episode.

I hope some of that helps. I could offer a whole heap of other insights but Bethany is calling!!
Good luck and please let me know if I can ever answer a question or help in anyway after years of this rollercoaster I think I have seen and done it all!!! (including all the meds!!!)

Exactly what I was going to say Amy, I too have mental illness not bipolar though I have Anxiety/OCD and PND. Even though I have this illness and yes there are lots of ups and downs and thankfully my DH is still with me through the good and bad it is not by any means easy for him. Your hubby needs to understand that he needs to be consistent in taking his meds so he can be the best parent he can be and see a psych regularly for an outlet to voice his frustrations and have safety plans and support in place incase he has episodes. If you have safety plans in place it will be easier to deal with. I too have to say that Mental Illnesses are uncontrollable to a certain extent they take a handle over you. I hope he agrees to go to the dr with you this arvo. My husband also has depression but is in denial, my psych when she sees him in a group session with me offers for him to see someone and offers meds if needed but he is still in denial, she says I cant push the issue with him because he will run further away, I have to wait for the realisation from himself he wants to seek help. I hope this afternoon goes well. xxx