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Bipolar Disorder/bipolar meds and back to normal
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Question
After having my the child 2nd 2005 I had a lot of paranoid thoughts and after 8 months I had a psychotic episode that sent me to a behavior clinic for 10 days and was told I was dealing with untreated post pardum depression leading to my episode. after seeing a Dr who specialty is mental health I was diagnosed with bipolar. since my episode my ex husband has had temporary custody of my 11 and 14 year old girls. His lawyer and him are looking to get full custody of my children based on my episode and bipolar. My doctor has been trying different meds and now I am on lithium depicote, seroquil and quatro. my question is...Do you think there is any reason the courts can give custody to my x because of me being on these meds and being bi polar.
Tamara:
Being bipolar and being on meds is not a grounds for losing custody of a child. If you can show proof you have had no further episodes since being on medication, and your psychiatrist can verify that, and show your moods are now stable, you can be just as good a parent as someone who is not bipolar.
Neither the diagnosis nor the medication is grounds for losing custody.
Joyce A. Anthony
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Answers by Expert:
Joyce 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.
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