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31-07-2014 09:59 PM
31-07-2014 09:59 PM
Carer and consumer
This forum is for carers, but what if you are a carer and you have a mental illness as well. Which one takes priority? I have bipolar disorder but I am also a carer.
My eldest daughter has bipolar disorder and ADHD. My second daughter has no problems (although she is gay, which has caused her problems in the past). My third child, a son, has Down syndrome, autism, sleep apnoea, hearing loss and depression and my youngest has ADHD and severe anxiety. Despite this, you wouldn't pick us in a crowd and my family functions very well.
Even though I am posting this in the Carers forum, I am drawn more to post in the Lived Experience Forum. Does anyone else relate to this?
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02-08-2014 10:06 PM
02-08-2014 10:06 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi Annabelle,
I get what you mean. I think there are times we just feel more in our carer role or more in need of support on a personal level. I'm bipolar and have children and parents with disabilities. My role as a carer really took the front seat for so long I snapped before I learned I was just as important. End of the day we are indeed both.
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07-08-2014 06:56 PM
07-08-2014 06:56 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi guys,
Thanks for this great discussion. Makes me think of that old adage - "if we don't look after ourselves, we can't look after other as well". It's a very hard thing though, and I really appreciate your comments.
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14-08-2014 05:42 PM
14-08-2014 05:42 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi Annabelle and JT,
Just thought I'd see how you guys are going?
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14-08-2014 09:00 PM
14-08-2014 09:00 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
HI Hobbit,
I just composed a message and then it vanished. I will wait to see if it goes through and if not, I will write it again. It basically said, 'I'm fine, but busy' (with the subtext added). How are you Hobbit?
Anne
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14-08-2014 09:03 PM
14-08-2014 09:03 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Thought I'd just jump in. In terms of your message vanishing, try going to your profile and see if it's there under "auto saved drafts" on the right hand side.
Hope it's there! Nothing worse (well.. maybe a couple of things 🙂 )
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14-08-2014 09:15 PM
14-08-2014 09:15 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi Annabelle,
'I'm fine, but busy' (with the subtext added).
No seriously, I'm good, and thanks for asking.I hope things are going OK for you. Keep us posted if you have any concerns or feel like someone to talk to. That's what these forums are for!
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15-08-2014 07:44 PM
15-08-2014 07:44 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi Hobbit,
All good thanks. Been a busy month!
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21-08-2014 05:18 PM
21-08-2014 05:18 PM
Re: Carer and consumer
Hi guys,
Good to hear you are doing well. I have been busy too. On a personal level, I play guitar, and the other week I bought a REALLY good guitar, but it was set up REALLY badly!! So I just this afternoon got it back from the shop and hopefully it plays well. If it plays well, then maybe I can learn how to play well too ha ha!!
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05-09-2014 12:12 AM
05-09-2014 12:12 AM
Re: Carer and consumer
Lol.
what a good hobby!