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Bipolar Disorder/bipolar wife and my 16 month old child

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 11/24/2006


Question
my wife had a psychotic episode in march resulting in a 10 day stay at a behavioral center in NJ. post pardum depression was given as a result, but the doctor she is seeing says she is bipolar and she has been taking meds for the past eight months.
I want to know if their is any danger for my 16 month old child to be left alone all day with me wife.  should i look for live in help.

Answer
Hi Glen:

Bipolar parents can be very good parents, especially if they are on mood-stabilizing medication.  If your wife has been on the medication nearly a year now and had no further episodes, I believe she is perfectly fine with your baby.  It is very likely you would see a psychotic episode coming long before it would pose any threat.  I hope this helps ease your mind.
                          Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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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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