Bi-polar question?

Question

My wife is bi-polar...she stays up to1am then goes to bed. she gets up at 6 to get the kids up for school and then crashes for another 4-5 hours. I think this is dangerous for because I read it may lead to more manic behavior, but her psychiatrist syas it won't it is just a circadian rythym problem. But my other argument is she is hypersexual acting, because she is cyber chatting to lesbians when she stays up. so what od you think?

Answer 1

I applaud you for caring enough about your wife to want to learn more about her illness. I have done some reading on the illness, because I know a few people with the disorder. I would suggest doing as much reading on it as you can, so that you will understand when she is in a "manic" state and how you can help her. Keep communicating with her psychiatrist, so the psychiatrist is informed on any changes in her behavior.

Here are some websites that can help. Good Luck!!

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp1

http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.bipolar.html

http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md02.html

http://www.bipolar.com/

http://www.pendulum.org/

The above website has a support group for family and friends of the person with bipolar disorder.

Answer 2

Registered Nurse here; Circadian rhythm cycles are common among bi-polar patients, however this is also a clear symptom that the current medication regimen is not adequate or accurate for your wife. First I would strongly recommend another psychiatrist, for another symptom that mental illness is not being properly treated is the hyper sexual escalation, another very common symptom among people with bi-polar disease. The crashing after taking children to school, is probably due to staying up so late and becoming fatigued and overly tired. It's been my experience with bi-polar friends and patients. That routines and schedules cannot be stressed enough. To bed at a specified time, no staying up late and playing games on computer or anything else. The hyper sexual stuff is just increased by her acting out the fantasy's on a computer chat line or whatever. I strongly recommend you seeking the evaluation of another psychiatrist. Neither you, your wife, and especially your children should have to live in so much chaos.

Answer 3

I was married to a man for 7 years that was bi-polar and had 3 children with him. As much as you and your wife would like to blame her imperfections on her disorder you cant. Is your wife on meds? If she isnt seeing a psych then she should be. People who have this disorder have very high highs and very low lows. It doesnt last forever. There are times of normal behavior. I think that your wife needs to get her priorities straight. If she knows that this is issue for you then she needs to make a effort to go to bed at a decent hour and not sleep late the next day. Like I said this doesnt sound like a bipolor issue. People need to start taking responsibility for thier actions instead of blaming it on disorders. Everyone has some sort of disorder or issue. It is how we handle it that matters. The hypersexual / lesbian issue needs to be addressed with her psych. I think you need to put your foot down and stop allowing this crap to go on. My ex husband would do the same thing to me and in the end his bipolor issue really wasnt the issue at all. With proper treatment and counseling and the want to your wife can live in the world normally and function as a regular human being. I am not a Dr. but I am a nurse and I have seen and lived through this disorder. Keep your eyes open people with bipolor are great con artist

Answer 4

Not unusual for hypersexual activities among persons with bipolar. I think the psychiatrist should be notified of the behavior. whether there is much that can be done about it I don't know.

Answer 5

I think there is a problem. When your meds are correct, there shouldn't be this manic/crash thing going on everyday. And, yes, she is acting out sexually. I'm sure you already know this a sign of manic behavior.
She needs to speak to her dr. Her meds may need to be changed around a little.
Good Luck

Answer 6

Well this is kinda A personal matter, you are going
to have to talk to you're wife and find out what's
going on, and for her bi-polar, well there will be alot
of mood swings, it's normal.

Answer 7

she will always have behavioral problems , she cant help it . just always be part of her treatment and do the best you can