5 Things That Make My Bipolar Son Happy
My bipolar son is a happy kid. He is loving, kindhearted, compassionate and good. After many of Sam’s manic episodes, he expresses how bad it felt or how he really did not mean to say or do the things he did. We know he means it.
• What is Bipolar disorder?
As much as possible, we try to expose Sam to the things that bring him joy and contentment in order to potentially limit the amount of stress and anxiety he experiences.
Here are the top five things that bring my son the most happiness:
1. Sports
This kid can tell you just about anything you want to know about any NBA or NFL player. He has been throwing, kicking and shooting all kinds of balls since he was 2. Nothing brings him more joy than participating in sports!
2. Supportive Adults
Sam’s teachers, therapists, daycare providers and doctors have been lifesavers for him and our family. All have gone above and beyond to show him they care. I often say Sam is the most intuitive person I know. He can read someone very well and knows right away if that person is “on his side.” He is lucky to have an entire sideline of supporters!
3. Friends
This one is tricky because peer relationships are hard for Sam. He has never had that one really good friend and tends to bop around from person to person. It is hard for him to productively articulate when he is done with an activity or playing altogether. At any rate, soccer teammates, neighbors and school buddies are so important to him.
4. Family
Sam has a loving and supportive family beyond our immediate one. His grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and even their friends have all adjusted their lives and expectations to support Sam. He may not know it now, but his family has moved mountains to show him unconditional love.
5. School/Learning
Sam loves to learn and has always felt comfortable at school. The structure of the day and the ability to take in information make him feel in control and productive.
While I can’t control my son’s brain, I can control his exposure to things, activities and people who love and care about him.
What do you do to help your child function at their best and keep your family moving on track as smoothly as possible?
Follow this journey at gracefullycrazy.com.
Editor’s note: This story has been published with permission from the author’s son.
Getty image by matimix
My name is Carrie and I am an advocate for children’s mental health issues. I am also a career driven professional who is passionate about philanthropy, arts & culture and community involvement. All of this takes a lot of time, energy, focus and determination! So why start a blog? Well, after a long year of hospital stays, many different health professionals, travel to see doctors, tears, fear and pain, I felt compelled to share my story and help others facing the same challenges. And just like that, Gracefully Crazy was born! Gracefully Crazy is me. I know some people might be put off by the word crazy. I get it. To me, it just describes what my daily life is like. If anything, it pays tribute to my own mental illness diagnosis of ADHD and depression. Also, I love the word and use it all the time! “Hey, that’s crazy cool or you are a crazy awesome person!” Crazy, right? Don’t worry, I own it. My goal is to help other mothers of mentally ill children survive and thrive in their crazy world. Sounds easy, right? It is, if you do it with GRACE. I continue to work very hard to advance in my professional career and be the best mother and wife possible. If you have a child with ANY special need, you know all of this can feel simply unobtainable. I don’t buy it! I believe if we keep talking, sharing stories and lifting each other up, we ALL have the potential to do it succeed.
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