| Hi Hippy,
I'm not the voice of experience that you need, as this is all still very new to me.
I do know that it's apparently a "part of the illness" to deny the condition. At least that's what they're telling us. On the other hand, if you accuse Great Aunt Tildy of being a sot, and GreatAunt Tildy knowing that a drop of alcohol has never crossed her lips denies it vigirously......can you then use the fact that denial is a symptom of alcoholism as further "proof" of her condition?
My h and I attended a family education session last night and listened closely to the therapist's description of the symptoms of bi-polar, ie mood swings, poor decision making, excessive sleeping or staying up all hours, excessive spending...... I raised my hand and asked exactly how you differentiate those symptoms from "normal" teenage behavior. The answer was singularly unenlightening.
So our plan is to go slow. Continue to learn. Document behaviors. And try not to make any sudden radical changes either in our son's care or in his environment. |