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"Can I still parent my children now that I have been given a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder?" she asked tearfully. There are no easy answers to such questions. Receiving the diagnosis is scary enough without having to face the how to of parenting with such a diagnosis. Yet, it must be dealt with as life does continue to go on. As a mother with bi-polar disorder, I feel that it is possible for a parent with this diagnosis to be a good parent. What people fail to realize is that receiving a diagnosis of a mental illness does not render you incapable. It simply identifies a set of challenges which will have to be overcome both by you and your family. Together the family unit can overcome.

The first issue to consider is that this diagnosis is a mental illness and a disability. ? The individual with the diagnosis is much more than just the illness. There are other aspects of their personality. It is imperative to understand that a diagnosed person is a person with an illness. The illness does not define the individual. It may hinder them to some degree. It certainly is a challenge, both for the diagnosed parent and for the family. But, it is not all encompassing.

Second thing to consider is the diagnosis can be managed. Just like the illness of diabetes can be managed with medication and proper nutrition, bi-polar disorder can be managed with medication and counseling. It will take effort and understanding from everyone in the family but, it is manageable. The diagnosed person will have to be vigilant in managing the illness in order to keep it under control. Again, this is not different from any other illness. And it should not be seen as different. Education and training will be vital to the survival of the family unit. The help of a therapist should be seriously considered. The family will have to learn about the symptoms of the illness and the side effects of the medications. They may have to receive individual counseling to deal with the strains of the disorder.

A healthy family can overcome the struggles by supporting one another during tough times. A strong family can learn the art of forgiveness and compassion. A strong family can learn to lean on one another when the diagnosed individual is having a difficult time, thus, allowing that person time and space to heal. These are skills which can be learned from having a parent with this disorder. The children of this parent may look back at their childhood marveling

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