Hello, I'm new here

[Jojo2010]

Hello, I thought I would give this a try. I was diagnosed as having bi-polar disorder thirteen years ago. Mostly, I manage. I take my meds regularly and I've been sober since 2003. I'm a single mother, although both of my children are now adults and have moved out of home. Due to a Family Court ruling, I have remained in a small country town where my former partner and I shared custody of the children. I once was fairly involved in the community. My former partner and his now wife were "high profile", very active, involved so I just found it easier to stay at home rather than risk running into them. It was just easier, but now of course I don't have friends in town. I have acquaintances but no one that I socialise with. I realise that this is of my own doing.

Anyway, I'm alone for Christmas and I'm hoping that there will be some kind of online support available. My son lives 400km away and is working. My daughter has made other arrangements with friends; if I'm honest I'm hurting that she didn't ask if I had any plans, even though I tried to work something out a few months back. I don't have any family close by.

I have difficulty asking for support, so the anonymity of this forum - I hope - will work for me.

Thank you

[Croix]

Dear Jojo2010~

Welcome here to the Forum, and I guess if you read a fair number of poss you will find others that are sad or alone at Christmas. It can be horrible to be by yourself and I'm sorry your daughter did not ask what you needed.

I usually suggest that at this time of year there are a number of charities and service groups that need help, even in a small country town (like the one I live in). True many are connected with churches, though if you do not share their faith the good is worth doing in it's own right.

It may well be you will bump into your ex, or wife No2, but time has passed and I'd expect you might be uncomfortable but could handle it -what do you think? Self imposed isolation, even though very understandable, is not a good thing.

The other thing of course is to let your daughter know how you feel, maybe that might lead to something, again even if it makes you uncomfortable to mention the matter.

You are most welcome here of course.

Croix