Podcast: Caring for My Bipolar Mother

When parents struggle with severe mental illness, their children can fall into the role of caregiver. What is this like from the child’s point of view? How does it affect their school life, their friendships or their worldview? Today’s guest, mental health advocate and author Michelle E. Dickinson, experienced this firsthand as the child of a woman with bipolar disorder. From a very young age, Michelle remembers her mother’s manic highs and deep lows. She recalls the happy shopping sprees on “good” days, followed by the overwhelmingly sad days when her mother would cry and cry and Michelle would tell jokes and stories to try to get a smile. Tune in to hear Michelle’s personal story — her childhood experiences, the moment she finally felt safe to tell her friends about her mom’s illness, her own bout with depression, and how it all led to her current work as a mental health advocate. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Guest information for ‘Michelle E. Dickinson- Trifecta of MI’ Podcast Episode Michelle E. Dickinson is a passionate mental health advocate, a TED speaker, and a published author of a memoir entitled Breaking Into My Life. After years of playing the role of child caregiver, Michelle embarked on her own healing journey of self-discovery. Her memoir offers a rare glimpse into a young girl’s experience living with—and loving—her bipolar mother. Michelle spent years working to eradicate the mental health stigma within her own fortune 500 workpla...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Bipolar Children and Teens Disorders Family General Interview Mania Parenting Podcast The Psych Central Show Source Type: blogs