A support system is an important tool for any person suffering from bipolar disorder. A support system can be helpful in relieving stress and a lifeline when you're sick. Being a parent, a support system isn't just benefiting you, but it benefits your partner and children too. Building a support system is the second priority in parenting when bipolar disorder is a factor.
A support system consists of many different people to help you through the good times and the bad times. Key players in the system is your doctor and therapist, if you have one, for your own personal wellness, but there also needs to be a support system for your children as well.
Your partner is your number one in support. A very supportive partner understands as best as possible. They know the warning signs and the triggers. Your partner sees the daily change in your mood therefore has the ability to step in before problems start to happen. Your partner can also lend a helping hand in household responsibilities and parental responsibilities to help you cope. We all know at the end of the day the typical picture of a parent pulling the hair out and wanting their partner to take over when they walk through the door is an understatement.
Being supportive of you isn't the only responsibility of a co-parent, but also to be supportive of both of your children as well. This support is not just to help show the loving and caring environment children need growing up, but to help them understand and learn more about why you are sick.
Next on the list of the support system is your external family and friends, as long as they are understanding and wish to be supportive. As our partner's will sometimes need there break, it's nice to have family or a close friend who can help be supportive of the current situation. This might be just a nice dinner on the town or if there comes a point when you need to be hospitalized.
While they are there for you, family and friends are there with your children as well. This helps your children to know there is someone else to go to if they would like to talk or hang out for a while. These people give your child a emotional safety net to know it is not just them and you. The possibility of a situation when you are sick where they need an adult there with them, then they will know who will be there when they call.
Doctors, therapists, co-parents, external family, and friends make up the support group for the long haul with you. Just remember just because you consider them part of your support group doesn't make them a part of it. From your partner to your friends, you need to discuss your situation and how you and your children need support to deal with it every day. Discuss the specifics you are looking for in their support and make sure they are willing. At that point, make it a realty and set the safety net up for your children.
