Telling family I have bipolar

LegacyUser

Hi this is the only place I could think of looking for some advice. Thank you in advance

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar. I didn't want to give a next of kin contact to the Home Care team but now I am going to tell my family myself. How do you even begin this conversation? I presume they have some idea but I'm nervous to talk about it too when I barely understand it myself?

porsche boy

Like telling your folks your gay or have a serious illness, best approach is to just say it. There will be a load of questions immediately after but just answer them as best you can with honesty and openess.
Either they will initially dismiss it and take a while to come to accept it, have a few questions and be curious about it or tell you they've known it for years.
No matter what happens be proud of yourself for realising there was an issue and tackling it head on.

I don't know how close you are to your family, but with things like bipolar, I would guess that chances are that they might already have an inkling that this was the case.

Just be open and honest.

Deep Six

As the poster above said, just be open and honest. It's nothing to be ashamed of at all and your family will support you all the way. Wish you all the best OP and take care of yourself.

zoobizoo

Look up St. Pats hospital website.... They have a 'course' for those with bi polar and their families.

Could be a good way for them to learn about it and how you can all handle things if you start having an episode

Greentree_uk

Well firstly thankfully you have a diagnosis, my mother suffers from it but is in denial and will not see speak to doctor about it, my sister has been confirmed diagnosed and is getting the necessary medication. I assume you are now too. My advice is as previous people have said, just tell them. I'm sure they already know and it will give them the releif they need too. It will perhaps finally shed some light on any issues you had previously with them, if you have had any instances with them or people Close to you then now is he time to reconcile. Best of luck.

zoobizoo wrote: »

Look up St. Pats hospital website.... They have a 'course' for those with bi polar and their families.

Could be a good way for them to learn about it and how you can all handle things if you start having an episode