Bipolar and my mood swings hurt family relationships

I have a sister-in-law that I think is angry or hurt because I took a long time to wish her daughter, my niece, a congratulations on having her second baby. I did say it on Facebook, and I tried to get my husband to give her a card with a gift, but he didn't do it, so I did that much later, and my moods were taking over my life during this time, I felt like I could barely get by and I didn't address that. I am trying to get over it. But it's hard. I had no ill intentions. I didn't mean to ignore her. I was trying to just keep my head above water in my very busy life. Part of me says who cares, but I do care and it hurts my feelings. I will just try my best to get over it.

Hugs, QG! Have you tried explaining this all to her? Does she know about your diagnosis? Maybe just try explaining to her that the card got mixed up with a bunch of other things. You've got a lot of stuff on your hands with your own family that these things do tend to happen.

Thanks Tyler, I feel a bit better. But I know I've let people down many times. And I know myself, I am the way I am and that's all there is to it. Sometimes I'm not fully into sending cards or pictures or gifts in time and it's the real truth about me. I love those who accept me as I am and who love me for me, not for what I do.

She does know about the diagnosis, but like everyone whom I've told, they don't care to learn what it entails. They really don't research Bipolar Disorder.

I did explain to my niece about the gift being late and she was sweet about it. I need to concentrate on that, I tell myself.