Children of Parents with Mental Illness

I am 11 years old and my father is bipolar.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 7 years ago. I really don't know very much about the disease but I would like to know more.

The website [http://www.mhsanctuary.com/bipolar/conta... where I got your address was alot of help to me. My first question is will it ever go away? I have been told many times before that there is no cure. But I feel like I can't accept that answer.

Also will bipolar disorder get worse or better with age? Because people in my family have gotten into trouble as a child but have calmed down as they have gotten older.

How much of a chance is there that I have inherited bipolar disorder from my father? If I have inherited bipolar disorder would we be able to tell since I am only a child? Thank you for your help!

sincerely, Joy F.

Hi, Joy!

Here is some basic information about bipolar disorder that I hope will help you understand what your dad is going through. Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression because sometimes the person is manic and sometimes the person is depressed.

When someone is manic, or is having a manic episode, they are usually really excited and excitable. Sometimes they go days and days without sleeping. Their thoughts are racing really fast. Some people who have had manic episodes have spent a lot of money unwisely, made bad choices, and even been in trouble with the police because of reckless behavior. Usually they feel powerful and don't know anything is wrong with them at the time, so it takes family members to get them some help at the hospital.

Before I talk about depression I do want to say this.....bipolar disorder is a brain chemistry disorder. It is a physical illness of the brain just like diabetes is a physical illness of the pancreas. For a lot of people the right medication keeps the brain and the person's moods stable, meaning they aren't wild and manic and they aren't depressed, they just go through the normal emotions we all have.

Depression is something we hear more about. When someone over a period of time feels hopeless and despondent, can't concentrate, cries for no reason (though a lot of time men are angry instead of sad when they're depressed) and feels life is not worth living, that is usually a depressive episode.

I understand your feelings about there being no cure for bipolar disorder but unfortunately, it's true. However, there is a lot of research going on to come up with better medicines so that maybe people who are bipolar can live a life without the mood swings that are so difficult to deal with. As someone with bipolar and with two kids, ages 7 and 4, I hope that day comes soon because I know my kids go through a lot when my bipolar disorder acts up.

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