Health

Reader Stories: How I Decided Whether to Have Children

When you or your partner have bipolar disorder, deciding whether or not to have children can can be difficult. You may have decided long ago that you are going to have kids no matter what, or that you absolutely don't want children. Or you may have to weigh all the issues bipolar disorder brings to the decision, such as: Will my child develop bipolar disorder, ADHD, or another disorder? Can I take care of my children during my episodes?

Whether your decision was easy or difficult, share with others whether bipolar disorder influenced you, and what issues you considered.

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Guest Name*

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Are You, Or Would You Have Been, the Mother or Father?*

Which of you has or had bipolar disorder? What was the diagnosis - BP I, BP II, something else, not formally diagnosed?

How I Made My Decision, And What I Decided*

What did you consider before making your decision whether or not to have children? What was your ultimate decision?

What I'd Do Differently*

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Do you still think you made the right decision? Why or why not?

Did the decision affect your relationship?

If you had a child, does he/she have bipolar disorder?

If you had a child, does he/she have another disorder?

Do you have any advice for people facing this decision?

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Bipolar Disorder

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