by Pat Rapacchiano

Created on: July 31, 2010

Mental illness has been around since the beginning of time.  Mental illness can take several forms and it effects people in different ways.  Bi-polar disorder has been present in our society for decades however, centuries ago not a great deal was known about the disorder therefore, effective treatment was not available in the early days of this disorder. 

 The question of whether or not a parent diagnosed with bi-polar disorder can make a good mother depends upon a number of factors.  First, long before the person becomes a mother she needs to receive a firm diagnosis from a physician specializing in psychiatric disorders.  Although a general practitioner is able to treat a condition such as bi-polar illness: I would recommend securing the services of a qualified psychiatrist. 

 Once the condition is clearly identified as bi-polar illness, the physician needs to discuss possible treatment options with the patient.  More than likely, the patient will have to take medication in order to control the mania and mood swings associated with Bi-polar illness.  Although a number of new medicines have been developed to treat bi-polar illness, physicians still prescribe Lithium for patients suffering from bi-polar mania.

 Becoming a mother is a big responsibility and a new baby is time consuming for both mother and father.  A new baby can be handful for any new mother; you must make sure if the mother is bi-polar that she is being properly treated and monitored closely by her physician.  As long as the disorder is being treated successfully, the patient can make an excellent mother for her child or children.  Medication and therapy can work wonders for a variety of mental illnesses including bi-polar manic depression. 

 The answer to the question is absolutely yes!  Mothers who suffer from bi-polar illness can make  excellent parents, as long as they realize that they must continue taking their medication and receiving therapy sessions as suggested by their physician. 

 Bi-polar mental illness is a lifelong illness that normally doesn’t disappear.  If the patient for whatever reason stops the medication it could change the whole picture.  A mother who stops taking the medication could pose a danger to her children.  Therefore, a mother refusing treatment or stopping her medication would not make a good mother to her child.  People suffering from bi-polar illness who refuse treatment are setting themselves and their loved ones up for disaster.  This is not an illness that a person can control without medication.

 Bi-polar illness can cause a person to act irrationally and they may not even remember some things they might due while suffering a manic episode.  Bi-polar illness can cause a person to act violently giving little or no concern for the people around them.  Most bi-polar type illnesses are genetic and must be treated accordingly.

 In conclusion, a great deal more is known today about mental illness and a variety of treatment options are available.  There is no reason for someone to suffer with bi-polar illness.  Bi-polar illness can rob someone of his or her life.  A woman can make an excellent mother even if she has bi-polar illness as long as she takes her medication as prescribed and reports any ill side effects to her physician immediately.

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