Please post annonomusely.
Im going though my own depression after a broken marriage we had been together 12yrs married 4yrs three beautiful babies. My mum has just been diagnosed with bipolar and has told me to put my own problems aside and help her get better. My question is how do you help someone with bipolar when you have depression too how do I handle this situation?
3 Replies
Firstly your mum should never have said that! Secondly you need to look after yourself before you can look after anyone else. You can support and encourage her but there really isn't much you can do for her, EVEN if you were well yourself.
So make sure you are accessing and using ALL your tools to get yourself well and encourage your mum to do the same.
Fit your own oxygen mask, before you help others fit theirs.
It sounds trite but if you aren't doing well yourself then you are no help to anyone. It's not about hanging your mum out to dry but knowing that you aren't being good to yourself OR HER if you put your own treatment and healing aside. Tell her no, you need to look after you. Your kids need you too.
I think that is a very selfish thing to say. Your mother should not have said that to you. The way I see it is that you need to get your own mental health right first. You can't help someone else when you aren't right yourself. Stay srong though, you can do this!