served in GA with a temp restraining order, crazy-not a single physical incident ever

[Uncompahgre]

Georgia, USA:
I had a sheriff stop by (I do IT consulting from home, glad this didn't happen at work) and serve me with a TPO if that's the acronym. divorced for two years, I've had every other weekend since then with two kids.
Suffer from possible bipolar and had an incident last week where I was disoriented and shouting (at the walls mainly) and ex stopped by with the kids. There was a loaded firearm on the counter.
After paramedics took me away (after a few days in hospital and med adjustment I feel fine) she basically looted my house- a laptop, iPad and sony camcorder all missing. Then the restraining order citing I need to be prohibited from having weapons, have no visitation with kids, stay away from her house and their school, etc.
Ideas?
I have done a lot of goodwill, but there are some angry texts from discussions that went bad that she cited in the report. But I have paid all support ever asked for and lots on top of that (just bought my ex an iPhone a year ago as a gift), flew her and the kids on an international trip at Christmas, plunge her toilets and clean her kitchen sink when they clog, etc.

What I'm thinking is just say-fine-until the end of the school year no contact, my kids will still be there in the summer and we love each other, but I don't want this crap on my record. Do I need to get it thrown out to keep her accusations of me being a lunatic from being public?

 

[Ohiogal]

Georgia, USA:
I had a sheriff stop by (I do IT consulting from home, glad this didn't happen at work) and serve me with a TPO if that's the acronym. divorced for two years, I've had every other weekend since then with two kids.
Suffer from possible bipolar and had an incident last week where I was disoriented and shouting (at the walls mainly) and ex stopped by with the kids. There was a loaded firearm on the counter.
After paramedics took me away (after a few days in hospital and med adjustment I feel fine) she basically looted my house- a laptop, iPad and sony camcorder all missing. Then the restraining order citing I need to be prohibited from having weapons, have no visitation with kids, stay away from her house and their school, etc.
Ideas?
I have done a lot of goodwill, but there are some angry texts from discussions that went bad that she cited in the report. But I have paid all support ever asked for and lots on top of that (just bought my ex an iPhone a year ago as a gift), flew her and the kids on an international trip at Christmas, plunge her toilets and clean her kitchen sink when they clog, etc.

What I'm thinking is just say-fine-until the end of the school year no contact, my kids will still be there in the summer and we love each other, but I don't want this crap on my record. Do I need to get it thrown out to keep her accusations of me being a lunatic from being public?

You are possible bipolar? Truthfully you need to be evaluated and if you are bipolar, medicated. You, based on what you described, are a danger to yourself and others. And you shouldn't be owning a weapon.

 

[stealth2]

ITA.

You say you had a med adjustment while hospitalized - what ARE you diagnosed with? Why do you think you're "possibly" bipolar? The doc wouldn't say "oh, you're possibly BP" and just throw meds at you. I would have done the same as your ex did had I witnessed your behavior. Yelling at walls aimlessly with access to a firearm? No way would I have left the kids with you, and I would want some assurance that you were mentally stable before allowing them to be with you unsupervised (by someone else).

And I'd be more concerned about being at work, wandering aimlessly yelling at walls than being served a protection order there. I doubt they'd just shrug it off as "that whacky computeer geek, ha ha".

 

[Uncompahgre]

ITA.

You say you had a med adjustment while hospitalized - what ARE you diagnosed with? Why do you think you're "possibly" bipolar? The doc wouldn't say "oh, you're possibly BP" and just throw meds at you. I would have done the same as your ex did had I witnessed your behavior. Yelling at walls aimlessly with access to a firearm? No way would I have left the kids with you, and I would want some assurance that you were mentally stable before allowing them to be with you unsupervised (by someone else).

And I'd be more concerned about being at work, wandering aimlessly yelling at walls than being served a protection order there. I doubt they'd just shrug it off as "that whacky computeer geek, ha ha".

Not arguing against a waiting period on the firearms which are being held in custody. Also, i want 6 months to make sure working with my doctors I get it nailed down. and as to your question about what I have, it's inexact. the dosages and combination of meds that work can define the illness. Part of it I know is heartbreak and moving on with life will probably do more for me than anything.
But my question is: how do I keep from being labeled in public record as being a dangerous menace when I have never harmed anyone, don't plan to, and have NO criminal record? If you can help me with that, and avoid the "lock em up he's loonie" that would be great. the yelling at the walls was a bit in jest- I am referring to just the feeling of frustration

 

[Uncompahgre]

ITA.

You say you had a med adjustment while hospitalized - what ARE you diagnosed with? Why do you think you're "possibly" bipolar? The doc wouldn't say "oh, you're possibly BP" and just throw meds at you. I would have done the same as your ex did had I witnessed your behavior. Yelling at walls aimlessly with access to a firearm? No way would I have left the kids with you, and I would want some assurance that you were mentally stable before allowing them to be with you unsupervised (by someone else).

And I'd be more concerned about being at work, wandering aimlessly yelling at walls than being served a protection order there. I doubt they'd just shrug it off as "that whacky computeer geek, ha ha".

I honestly have two psychiatrists and none of them have confirmed bipolar, we will know more with tests and over next few months. I took a double dose of a bipolar med that day plus my other. yelling at walls, well let's just say sitting and saying "wow I feel sick" OK? I'll avoid the hyperbole. I am not arguing about having a stabilization and assessment period prior to doing anything with firearms, which are being held by police. But I am not sure you heard I have absolutely no history of violence or criminal record, am cooperate with medical professionals, and have no problem with leaving the kids with mom for 6 months until we can revisit. What I'm wondering is how I keep a harmful and inappropriate label of being a physical threat going on a public record for this. That can harm me in many employment and other situations from what i gather.

 

[single317dad]

What I'm thinking is just say-fine-until the end of the school year no contact, my kids will still be there in the summer and we love each other, but I don't want this crap on my record. Do I need to get it thrown out to keep her accusations of me being a lunatic from being public?

- Just so I'm clear: what you're suggesting is that you'd be willing to forego the next 4 months of visitation with your children in exchange for your ex saving you some measure of public humiliation?

 

[Silverplum]

Your X boldly took legal advantage of your illness. You need an attorney and a psychiatrist.

Yes, the hospital will give you a "possibly BP" diagnosis, give "starter" meds, and send you home with strong instructions to follow up with specialists and your own doctor. (Some posters... How pleasant for them, to have no idea or experience.)

 

[Ohiogal]

Your X boldly took legal advantage of your illness. You need an attorney and a psychiatrist.

Yes, the hospital will give you a "possibly BP" diagnosis, give "starter" meds, and send you home with strong instructions to follow up with specialists and your own doctor. (Some posters... How pleasant for them, to have no idea or experience.)

I have a very good idea and experience with BP.

 

[Silverplum]

I have a very good idea and experience with BP.

You did not incorrectly state that a hospital would not give a possible BP diagnosis and throw meds at the patient.

 

[Ohiogal]

You did not incorrectly state that a hospital would not give a possible BP diagnosis and throw meds at the patient.

I do agree however with the assertion that until he is stable he shouldn't be unsupervised around the children. And a psychiatrist would have to do the appropriate tests to make sure he is stable.

 

[Silverplum]

Dad didn't do anything wrong or illegal. Period. End of story.

 

[anearthw]

Are we reading the same thread?

Let's consider as well, that the description of the incident is coming from the person who was admittedly disoriented at the time. It appears that there were serious mental health concerns here. If you show up to a home and someone is angry, raving at an inanimate wall, and has a loaded gun in sight, would you not reasonably be concerned for you and your child's safety? People with uncontrolled mental illness which causes anger issues should not have access to loaded weapons for safety reasons, not to mention one may not be able to supervise children around the firearm as well if they are not coherent.

I agree that the OP should be consulting a psychiatrist and an attorney, and get the "possibly" disorder sorted out as a proper medical diagnosis and treatment, so that he can ensure such incidents do not happen again. But I cannot think of a single parent who would not have serious safety concerns from the incident described, and that is from him. Mom's lucid version of events might be even more concerning.

 

[Silverplum]

Are we reading the same thread?

Let's consider as well, that the description of the incident is coming from the person who was admittedly disoriented at the time. It appears that there were serious mental health concerns here. If you show up to a home and someone is angry, raving at an inanimate wall, and has a loaded gun in sight, would you not reasonably be concerned for you and your child's safety? People with uncontrolled mental illness which causes anger issues should not have access to loaded weapons for safety reasons, not to mention one may not be able to supervise children around the firearm as well if they are not coherent.

I agree that the OP should be consulting a psychiatrist and an attorney, and get the "possibly" disorder sorted out as a proper medical diagnosis and treatment, so that he can ensure such incidents do not happen again. But I cannot think of a single parent who would not have serious safety concerns from the incident described, and that is from him. Mom's lucid version of events might be even more concerning.

Yes, same thread.

I also pointed out, correctly, that Dad did nothing wrong or illegal.

That is all I addressed. The rest is up to others.

Question for y'all, including OP: why did Mom stop by with kids? Was she expected/invited? That's key, don't you think?

 

[Ohiogal]

Yes, same thread.

I also pointed out, correctly, that Dad did nothing wrong or illegal.

That is all I addressed. The rest is up to others.

Question for y'all, including OP: why did Mom stop by with kids? Was she expected/invited? That's key, don't you think?

here is the thing about that -- it may not matter when it comes to suspending OP's visitation. The problem is father admits he was disoriented and had a loaded firearm while not in the best of shape.... Whether he can show he is stable is what is key, legally, for the kids.

 

[anearthw]

Certainly nobody should be mocked for mental illness. Certainly it is legal in Georgia to do what he has done in his home, but even if mom wasn't invited over with the children, I still think she has reasonable belief to have safety concerns. We also do not know the details of the "angry texts", but it appears that there is some uncontrolled anger issues here or mental illness that is not being controlled which presents a safety concern. I just don't see how mom has taken "legal advantage" when I suspect mom may just be acting in the interests of the children.