Question Title: Bipolar and Personality disorder

My mother has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I am now living with her. On a daily basis I watch her (Not literally sit and watch but just there to see her actions). I understand the bipolar and when she thinks she is a doctor, black belt or whatever. But recently Ive noticed when she talks about our child hood she refers to herself as the mother and when it comes to some subjects this other person did this not her. Like punishing us as kids (4 of us). She now says she never punished us that "the She" who acted like our mother punished us. And recently we took a video of my nephews birthday; she saw it and said she wasnt there. (She was) But she wanted to know who the woman was dressed in her clothes. According to her that was not her. I wonder is this part of bipolar or is this more? Can a person have several diorders. I am at a point where I cant handle this or understand whats going on. SHe has been hospitalized several times on a court order once. I dont think she is suicidal but it is scary and it is to the point that I dont think her doctor is getting all of the facts . He has never set up an appoint ment with the family to hear what she does. His diagnosis is based solely on what he has gotten her to talk about and she does not volunteer anything because there is nothing wrong with her in her mind. What do you advise. Allof us are worried. Theres alot more but it would take up the whole site to tell you.

Dear Shelly
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder in which one manic episode must be present irrespective of the number of depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder can have psychotic symptoms which include delusions (false fixed beliefs) hallucinations (abnormal perceptions) which can be either auditory or visual. Patients with bipolar disorder may have co-morbid disorders too. Alcoholism is one of the most commonly associated disorders. Dissociative disorder is a psychiatric disorder which can be defined as a state of disrupted consciousness with changes in memory, identity or perception of the environment.

I would recommend that you contact your mother’s psychiatrist for an appointment and discuss about your concerns in detail. For an appointment at Henry Ford Hospital Behavioral Services, you can call (248)-689-7476. This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not replace evaluation by a physician.

Key words -Bipolar disorder