Question : Is my mother crazy (and if so, what disorder does is sound like)?
It has become more evident the older I get that my mother is…well, she just isn’t right. She cannot be- there absolutely must be something wrong with her. However, when I look at psychological disorders, mental illness- none of the named issues fit her particulars.
She did have a bad childhood- as did all 6 of her brothers and sister. They all have decent jobs, homes, are active in their children lives and their communities.
Over my 29 years, she has lived a severe pattern:
1) normal: weird, eccentric, but does somewhat strive for normalcy and is somewhat active in her children’s lives. This typically lasts 1-2 years.
2) Than she’ll suddenly claim that the man she is with treats her horribly, accuses him of some kind of abuse and that she has suffered and given her life for him and her kids…she’s been a victim in every possible way.
3) Than she goes buck wild, dates and parties, dresses provocatively, spends foolishly. She doesn’t care about the emotional stress this causes others, actually she seems incapable of understanding it. She is illogical, irrational, peculiar, emotionless, self-absorbed…and speaking to her is often like speaking to a 15 year old. Everything adult- insurance, retirement, jobs- she practically rolls her eyes and does call it all “boring”.

She has gone through this several times, had 3 sets of children, given them all up, been in numerous relationships…she is a drain in every way. Now that I am adult, I am growing concerned that she will soon become a financial burden as well- since she has NO savings, retirement plan, or even health insurance.

She is incapable of adulthood, she is a child. (Her IQ is probably between 115-120, so that is not the issue)
Are you aware of any mental/psychological disorder that could be the root of her seeming insanity?
She has suffered depression- once, but it lasted a year/ and had an episode of nervous breakdowns as well.
But, as far as “bipolar”- she does not suffer mood swings at all. She is 99% of the time very happy- and completely unaware (careless) of anyone else including her children. It’s like she’s chasing butterflies in a field all day…for the past 47 years.
Nor does she fit the schizophrenia characteristics, not text book anyway.
active adult retirement

Best answer:

Answer by ragdollsnmaines
Sounds like Bi-Polar.