Dealing with Bipolar?

Question

My wife is bipolar, how can I help. Nothing I do for her seems to be enough, I do most of the household chores and dealing with the children. Its like she's giving up on her responsability. If I dont do something she asks, or I dont do right away she's angry. She has major ATTITUDE problems. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Answer 1

Your wife needs professional help. With bipolar disease it is imperative to be on a drug regiment that is consistent. You both need to seek counseling to discuss these issues otherwise you will become burnt out and resentful towards her. Many of her personality quirks can be attributed to the bipolar but you also need to let her accept some responsibility with regards to her well being. Doing all the work around the house will not help her to get better but finding a good balance for both of you will certainly contribute to a healthier relationship which in turn will help with her mental health issues. Hope this helps. God bless both of you.

Answer 2

Your wife didn't become bipolar overnight and she's not going to get better for a while. In fact, it could get worse or stay as bad as it is, depending on how bad her condition is, before it gets better. But, it WILL get better if you can take control of the situation.

I assume that she is under a doctor's care, preferably a psychiatrist. If she's not, she needs to be. She won't get better on her own. Set some limits. If she won't go to a psychiatrist with or without you, pack up the kids and find a place to get away from her. She has got to understand that this is serious and that you mean business. By staying and doing her bidding, you are enabling her, not helping. Sometimes "tough love" is the only way to help bi-polars. Typically, bi-polars blame everything that's going wrong with them on others. When the "others" are removed from the equation, they can't do that any more and have to come to terms with themselves.

If she is under a doctor's care and she is not taking her medicine, you will probably have to work with the doctor and may have to have her go to a hospital psych ward until she gets under control. It may take a while to find the right combination of medications to level her off. Once again, this is the "tough love" that may be needed.

Because there are children involved, you must get some control over this problem. They won't understand or be able to cope with the dictitorial nature of your wife's mood swings. It's unfortunate for you, but you have to be the leader here. Your children may not understand now what you are doing, but they will be grateful later that you had the strength to do it.

Get going, dad. Be kind, be patient, but be firm. You've got a lot of work to do.

Answer 3

Has your wife been officially diagnosed by a psychiatrist or are you just guessing?
Is she taking psychotropic medications prescribe by a psychiatrist? Is she taking them regularly?
If she is truly bipolar, she should have periods of high energy, where she may be more than able to do all the household chores on her own, and other periods when she wouldn't have enough energy to get out of bed (or to get angry at you).
Either way, you don't have to become her slave to be truly supportive of her. Check in the are you live in for a support group of family of people with mental illness. They can really help you learn how to best help her while also helping yourself.
Either way, you will need to set limits if you wan to keep your sanity and be with he for the long run.
Good luck, don't try it on your own, get professional help for her and for you.

Answer 4

your wife needs medications and therapy, one course of treatment just isnt enough, they go hand in hand especially with something like bipolar disorder which can be difficult for everyone in the family to deal with. Glad to hear you are being as supportive as you can. But your wife needs professional help, if she is on medication and her symptoms are still out of control maybe its time to look at other medications, there are a lot out there that are effective, ask you health care provider. And do it soon, before your wife, you and your children suffer.

Answer 5

if u are doing most of the household duties, u are enabling her to be just as she wants to be. seek some help, she needs to be on meds, and maybe seek therapy. have a neice who is bipolar, her mom does everything for her, she treats her mom badly. but nothing ever changes cause no one is willing to do a thing, no one is willing to make my neice accountable, due to her bipolar. she has in the past gotten physically violent with her mom, and step dad. she also has a child, she refuses to take care of, so its a bad situation, she may need some medication, or some therapy.

Answer 6

Bipolar disorder is any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania.In order to control her condition she has to be on medication. Her mood swings, and major attitude are to be expected if she is not on them. Get her on medication, make sure she takes it even if you have to crush it and put it in her food or drinks. Bipolar disorder may cause behavior so severe that she may not be able to function at work, in family or social situations, or in relationships with others. Some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal. And the disorder runs in families so watch your child for symptoms if you have any so that they too may get treatment

Answer 7

Have u bring ur wife to see a doc or psy? Are u very sure she is suffer from bipolar disorder? She may be lack of love and concern from the family. Or maybe she have something troubling her? Talk to her and find out more.

Im a Nurse.

Answer 8

I was involved with someone that was bipolar not fun at all I did the best thing Packed and left!!!

Answer 9

THe only way it can be managed is with medication and it is a lifelong thing. They have to keep up with it or the symptoms will come back or get worse. If you get it managed this way she should be able to pick up her equal share of responsibility with things and you wno't have to go around 'walking on eggshells' all the time.
Good luck!

Answer 10

My fiance is bipolar. He is on meds and sees a shrink. He had to otherwise I was leaving. It helped us out so much. She needs help cause you can't make her better.