My partner has bipolar disorder. How can I persuade him to seek medical help?

Answer 1

I have bipolar disorder and it is a very hard thing to medicate. Doctors say its easy but its not. And honestly people who are bipolar or even just depressed dont usually think there is anything wrong. Has he been completely diagnosed? Because if he has t can be dangerous for the both of you. He might just be worried about all the medication. And doctors tend to swap you around from medication to medication and that tends to hurt the body and mind more than the disorder itself. Just talk to him honestly, and calmly and ask him why he doesnt want to do it. Tell him exactly how you feel.

Answer 2

Hi! I have bipolar disorder, although I wasnt diagnosed correctly until just under a year ago. Up until last year, I had episodes of depression and went on anti-depressants. I also had lots of highs aswell altough they were never manic. Crazy mood swings wrecked my brain, and the medicine I am on now has helped wonders.

It is veryhard to persuade someone ot seek medical help becuse they just dont want to know, dont think there is anything wrong with them or think that doctors/medicaiton cant help.

You can get him to read this! Information in books, websites and personal stories on the web may help.

Try: www.bipolar.com
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/102/106808.htm

There are many helpful sources on the web.

Bipolar is a difficult illness for the patient and those around them. It is so important that they have support and help, especially during the lows. I know that without my fmaily support I wouldnt be here today.

It can be a hard road, but those with bipolar disorder can recover. Medical help is vital. Your partner may need you to literally force them to get up and go to the doctore.
Make the appointment for them. Take them. Be with them.

I hope everything goes okay, and that your partner gets medical help soon.

Love M. xxxoo:D

Answer 3

I would say, don't try when he's having a "manic" episode.

I am bipolar, and I usually end up taking myself off medication, and stop seeing my therapists when I'm all on top of the world and happy... I feel like I can do it all by myself, and don't need anyone else.

However, if you get him while he's down, he might be more receptive. Tell him you're concerned about his health, his state of mind. He may not want medical help because of the fear that the docs are "out to make money off him" or don't really care about him. I know this is how I feel much of the time. Convince him to look into the "chemical imbalance" section of the disorder... Instead of looking at it like he's just crazy or something. When it seems like there is a practical solution, it seems much easier to deal with, and to live with.

Just suggest he try talking to someone about it, and maybe he will take it from there. You can't really "persuade" or convince anyone to get help; it has to be something they are ready to do on their own, otherwise, they won't look at it as helping themselves, but pleasing someone else... And might eventually feel like you're "forcing" change on them.

It's confusing, but if you would like to talk more about it, let me know. I've been showing symptoms of bipolar since 12, got diagnosed at 18, and I'm 20 now. I'm actually trying to convince my partner to let me seek medical help. Before I fought it. But now I'm in the depressive state, and I know I need to get help.

Answer 4

Try to convince him that both your lives will be better once he seeks help. If he is in denial about the condition, try to gather support from family/friends. My friend's granddaughter and my daughter's boyfriend's mother both refuse to always take their medication for this illness. Tell him that there are many, many other people with this very disorder and that he shouldn't be ashamed of it. Mental disorders are nothing to be embarrassed about. Help is available. More is known today about clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and others than at any other time in history. Good luck!!

Answer 5

I don't think there is an easy answer. I suffer from OCD. Going to the doctor can be very frightening but it is important to go. My family are in the process of persuading a very frightened and reluctant family member to get medical help. It can be frustrating and distressing when they won't go, but I also understand the fear of going because I've felt it myself. But I did go and nothing bad happened. Reassurance, getting informed and a positive approach are essential. Medication is not the only treatment available for mental health problems. I choose not to go on medication for my OCD, but it is only mild/moderate, I've had extensive counselling and have just joined a CBT support group. I'm also very determined. A medication-free approach is not suitable for everyone. But I don't think medication has to necessarily be the answer for everyone either. Everyone is different and needs to find the solution for them, but medical help is crucial in finding your solution. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 6

don't you think you are clever. those with bipolar do not have "numerous voices" in their head. I've heard many confuse MP and schizophrenia, but to add bipolar into that confusion is pretty ignorant.

Bipolar simply means your mood fluctuates from depression to high states known is "mania"... bipolar is also known as manic depression.

But in answer to the poster's question:

I'd suggest baby steps. Bipolar is weird in that it is tough for the diagnosed to accept it as a disease as opposed to a personality trait. So rather than approaching your S/O as "I think you are ill and need treatment"...perhaps start off by suggesting "I notive you seem a little depressed/lazy/distracted/etc lately and thought maybe you could benefit from talking out your situation with a therapist/psycologist/social worker".

I myself admit to having bipolar, but still am not fully convinced drugs are necessary treatment. I am hopeful that by talking through things with a social worker biweekly, and making healthy eating, excercising and rest a top priority I can avoid manic episodes (states of depression have never been severe for me and feel that is a state I am accustomed to living in).

Answer 7

You shouldn't, they will just want to medicate him and tell him that he's doing well when his belief system is chemically impaired causing him to be in a highly suggestible state, thus creating the false illusion of happiness and mental stability. They do not, as of yet, have a clear enough understanding of how the human brain works so that they can ethically justify medicating it. Not to mention that psychological diagnosises are often misdiagnosed.

Answer 8

You cannot force another to get the help they need until they are ready to address the problem. There are medications that help, but it is often trial and error to find the best combination. The best thing you can do is to take care of yourself, and possibly seek counselling for yourself.

Answer 9

I wouldnt try and get them to seek help alone but if you must, try to talk when they are in a slightly more 'depressive' moood.

Answer 10

you really cant.
my uncle had this and he stopped taking medication
and he commited suicide.
so maybe you should try to talk to him when hes in a agood mood,
and let him know you are severly consirned.
its one of the hardest diseases to have.
so i suggest you let him know that their are severe risks
if he doesnt get help.