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Hi,
Okay this is going to be a bit long winded, so ill give you some information and my question at the end.
I have Bipolar 2 (also know as manic depression) and my daughters mother is using that as and excuse for me not to have unsupervised visits with my daughter. My daughter is 2.6 year old but when she was younger i was allowed to have her on my own.
My child mother as know about my bipolar for well over 3 years but as soon as she moved away the access i had stopped (where i was allowed her on my own) to the arrangement we have now where she is not allowed with me unless I'm supervised by her or her grandma. and every time i have ask for unsupervised visits i get told i can't due to my bipolar even thought at one point it didn't bother them.
But I can't she what as changed i have been a good parent to my daughter i have never showed an signs of violence angry towards them or my daughter and i have not had an relapses back into anything the can be described as hyper mania/ manic depression.
I was told by my doctor and a mental health professional that my bipolar was medical cleared for the time being.
I got the ok to come of my medication well over 2 year ago.
We have had the solicitors involved in the past but each time come to an arrangement outside of court or mediation .
But with the way things stand am actually think about getting the solicitors back involved and actually going throw with court action.
What I would like to know is there a chance i would be given supervised visit by the courts? what do they need to prove to be able to give me supervised visits?
Hi there
I think as the doctors and mental health team have said your bipolar is cleared and the fact that you were taken off medication two years ago is favourable.
Courts are by their very nature cautious but if you are upfront about your situation and medical reports back you up then I see no reason why contact shouldn't be re established. You might have to start off in a contact centre to begin with, this has been the case for many dads here that haven't had contact with their child for a while.
Good luck
You could argue the bipolar although chronic is now a previously treated condition - just like any medical condition. Of course there is risk of relapse but well done you for coming off medications for the last two years. As long as there is no history of violence or risk to yourself or others it should not be a reason to restrict contact to being supervised.
The premise that your contact should be supervised is likely only to be from her hostility and it seems court may be the only option if she is not willing to mediate.
The courts may require an upto psychiatric assessment - and if your financially struggling it might be worth going to the GP to get a letter or asking them to refer you to a psychiatrist if they cannot help.
BW