1. Early Signs: Mary noticed her son's unusual behavior at 18 months old, which progressed to intense meltdowns and rages as he got older.
2. Diagnosis and Treatment: After trying various therapies and medications, Mary's son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has been on lithium, which has helped stabilize his mood.
3. Parenting Challenges: Mary and her husband have had to adapt their parenting style to meet their son's unique needs, including setting boundaries, providing structure, and seeking support from therapists and support groups.
4. Impact on the Family: The family has faced numerous challenges, including feelings of isolation, anxiety, and trauma. However, they have also experienced moments of hope, love, and connection.
5. Self-Care and Support: Mary emphasizes the importance of self-care, seeking support from friends, family, and therapists, and finding ways to manage stress and anxiety.
6. Hope for the Future: Mary hopes that by sharing her family's story, she can help others who may be facing similar challenges. She also hopes to help her son develop coping skills and strategies to manage his mental health.
7. Giving Back: Mary is pursuing a certification in mental health coaching and hopes to help other families navigate their own mental health journeys.

• Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age or background.
• Early intervention and diagnosis are crucial in managing mental health conditions.
• Parenting a child with mental health challenges requires adaptability, patience, and self-care.
• Seeking support from therapists, support groups, and loved ones is essential for navigating the journey.
• Hope and resilience can help families cope with the challenges of mental health conditions.

• The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene

In this episode, Bill interviews therapist Amber about the challenges parents face when their child is struggling with mental illness. Amber discusses the importance of parents focusing on processing their own emotions and reactions, rather than solely trying to fix the child's problems. She notes how children can resent parents for not giving them space to work through challenges, and how siblings often take on roles to minimize stress on the family. Amber also distinguishes between supporting versus enabling a child, and highlights how vulnerability and acknowledging one's own challenges in parenting can strengthen the parent-child relationship. Throughout the conversation, Amber provides compassionate insights on navigating this difficult family dynamic.

Keywords: parenting, mental illness, family dynamics, emotional processing, support, enabling, vulnerability, parent-child relationship

In today's episode, Terry shares a deeply personal and emotional journey of navigating her son's mental illnesses, including anxiety and bipolar disorder. Join us as she recounts the challenges of seeking help, the impact on family relationships, her learnings, and the small victories that have facilitated a better understanding and approach towards mental illness. This heartfelt discussion provides invaluable insights for those walking a similar path or those who want to understand more about supporting loved ones with mental health issues.

**Key Topics Covered:**

- Early Signs and Struggles (00:00:00)

- Seeking Help and Diagnosis Challenges (00:06:09)

- Impact on Family Dynamics (00:15:53)

- Coping Mechanisms and Strategies (00:24:59)

- Setting Boundaries and Finding Support (00:32:07)

#### Keywords

- Mental Illness

- Bipolar Disorder

- Anxiety in Children

- Family Dynamics

- Mental Health Support

- Parenting Challenges

- Seeking Help for Mental Illness

- Coping with Mental Illness

- Setting Boundaries

- Mental Health Education

- Navigating Bipolar Disorder

- Personal Mental Health Stories

- Family Support Systems