Parents of BP anybody there? Looking for a support group besides NAMI.

[momofBP]

I took a class on mental illness at NAMI some years ago, but they dwell more on medications, doctors, etc.

I have a grown up child and cannot influence much but would like to communicate with parents of bipolar to adjust better to a very difficult situation. I think nobody can understand you better than people who are going  through the same hell.

Basically, I need some support on how to survive pretty much losing a child I was very close to some years ago. Feeling absolutely helpless is the hardest thing for me. When you strive so much to help and absolutely cannot no matter what you do.

[ILADVOCATE]

Look I appreciate that the experience is unnerving but perhaps its best to take an overall perspective on having a child with a disability. If they haven't recovered now as new treatments come out they could, as the recovery rate is stronger. You didn't lose them. They acquired a psychiatric disability but they didn't recover yet. Obviously NAMI could give you a better take on new medications in development (as can the websites I've provided information on in my posts, its a fact that I've recieved correspondence from their director about my recovery from schizoaffective disorder with glycine a Phase II antipsychotic that is a new class of antipsychotic, a glutamate antagonist in FDA study, otherwise I have no specific connection to them). For a more consumer oriented perspective you could look up the National Empowerment Center or for support groups for disability in general as well as some practical advocacy they help you with look up your local independent living center. There's one in every county of every state:
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
Regardless, my perspective is not unique. My mother coped with my schizoaffective disorder before my recovery and now I cope with her cyclothymia (mild bipolar) and she hasn't started treatment yet but now we both identify as consumers. Its a more positive take on the same issue.