Growing Up With A Bipolar Mother Was Depressing” — Jarvis Opens Up

Nigerian TikToker and content creator, Elizabeth Amadu, popularly known as Jarvis, has opened up about the difficult circumstances surrounding her childhood, including growing up with a mother who lived with bipolar disorder and facing severe financial hardship.

According to Ireporter Online, Jarvis made the disclosure while speaking at SPAC Nations Church in London, where she reflected on the challenges she experienced growing up without knowing her biological father.

The content creator said her mother’s condition sometimes resulted in extreme mood swings, which she described as stressful and emotionally difficult for the family. She alleged that there were occasions when her mother became violent, destroyed household items and verbally abused her and her sister.

Jarvis said she did not have a relationship with her biological father because she never knew who he was, adding that growing up without a father was particularly difficult because of the instability she experienced at home.

She said, “I was already exhausted. Grandpa was sick, and I came into a family through a mother who has bipolar disorder.

“Growing up with her was very stressful and depressing because sometimes the disorder could be extreme. Today, she would be nice and good; the next minute, she could become violent, destroy things and insult us.”

Despite the challenges at home, Jarvis credited her grandparents with playing a major role in her upbringing. She said they provided the discipline and guidance she needed while growing up, describing them as educated and strict.

According to her, the strict upbringing helped shape her character and remains something she appreciates.

Jarvis also recalled the financial difficulties she and her sister faced, particularly with paying school fees and getting enough food. She said there were times when the sisters watched food-related videos on TikTok simply to cope with hunger.

She explained that although she faced pressure from her circumstances, she was determined to continue her education and avoid turning to questionable means of making money.

Her circumstances eventually led to an unexpected opportunity when a friend she met through TikTok introduced her to live streaming.

Jarvis said she initially tried livestreaming with her sister and was surprised when their first session attracted about 200 viewers and earned them $5.

She said the small amount brought them happiness at a time when they were struggling financially and gave her a glimpse of the opportunities available through content creation.

The TikToker’s account highlights how difficult family circumstances, financial hardship and early exposure to social media eventually influenced her journey into content creation and helped shape the career she has today.