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Expert Q&A

 

By Judith Orloff, M.D.
Psychiatrist

My husband has just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. How do I explain this to my children where they will understand, but not be scared?

You need to explain in a very matter of fact and compassionate tone that your husband has an imbalance in his system that makes him moody, and that the imbalance is a medical issue that can be treated with medication. Explain to them that if your husband seems to go up and down a lot this is from the imbalance, but with treatment it will even itself out."

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