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

In this heart-wrenching yet inspiring episode of "Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories," Bill sits down with Celeste, a mother from Bill's home state of New Jersey, who shares her journey navigating the complexities of her daughter's multiple mental health conditions, including OCD, severe anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD.

Celeste opens up about her daughter's early childhood, the struggles they faced following a severe family incident, and the subsequent years of seeking proper treatment and care. From the initial diagnosis to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant mental breakdown following a family tragedy, Celeste provides invaluable insights into managing a child's mental illness.

She discusses the therapeutic approaches they've tried, the challenges of balancing her daughter's needs with her own, and the importance of self-care and having a support system. With moments of triumph like her daughter getting her driver's license and experiencing healing environments, Celeste’s story is a testament to resilience and the enduring hope for a better future.

#### Keywords:

- mental illness in children

- OCD in adolescents

- parenting with a mentally ill child

- obsessive-compulsive disorder

- navigating mental illness

- severe anxiety in children

- PTSD and parenting

- ADHD in adolescents

- mental health treatment programs

- therapy for OCD

- COVID-19 mental health impact

- parenting podcast

- mental health journey

- supporting a child with mental illness

- parental coping strategies

- family mental health challenges