AboutJoyce A. Anthony Expertise I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.
Experience I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.
Question Daughter is on social security already. I, her mother, am her payee. What is Caveat? Is it a treatment center? we live in Green Bay wisconsin. where is it located? What is the best kind of cognitive therapy for her, how well does it work to help her stop and think about what she is doing before she does it? this is her main problem. We have such a hard time understanding her behaviors. She seems so normal sometimes. She is not stupid, but can't seem to tap into her intelligence anymore. She isn't fighting it very hard as she just doesn't think she can ever conquer it. she definitely is at an extreme end of bipolar isn't she? she only worked part time at a grocery store deli. the only rule from the store was not to take food from the cooler section. it was made known to her clearly that if she was caught doing so it was automatic firing. they even told her they observe from cameras around the store. well, she did exactly that. when I asked her why she did it, because she wanted the job, she said she just doesn't know why she did it. Is that a lie?, does she know, or what. its hard not to get very angry. she is 25, but acts like a 10 yr old. I did go to the 12 week program at Nami, and went to the meetings for awhile, but found that when I left, I was more depressed than before, so I stopped going. she won't live with us, not that it would be good anyway, but, she can't seem to live on her own either. she has had 2 DUI's now, so she can't even drive. I have been running her to everything, and my life as I knew it, is ceasing to be.
Answer Hi Lin:
Caveat is a last warning. I am not familiar with the Wisconsin area, so can't answer whether there is a treatment center in that area. Try contacting NAMI and they should be able to tell you that information.
It appears your daughter has very poor impulse control. Is she reciving counseling. The best thing for her at the moment would be to enter talk therapy where they can help her learn to use self-control. Any mental health program in your area will be able to help you find a counselor.
May I suggest a way you can help? By running her everywhere, she is not feeling the effects of losing her license. Let her take public transportation or find another ride unless the play is extremely important. She needs to learn that her actions have consequences.
Joyce A. Anthony
