How do you deal with your bipolar spouse?

Question

This is for anyone who lives with a bipolar person on or off meds.

I'd really like to hear from only the people with bipolar or people who live with them.

Answer 1

i'm bipolar (on meds) and i just asked my girlfriend how she deals with it. she says when i'm being a ***** she just ignores it, when i'm depressed she listens and offers encouragement.

however i strongly recommend meds for bipolar sufferers. it really takes the edge off of the ups and downs and makes reality more realistic (if that makes sense) and having a partner that understands the disorder is very helpful.

Answer 2

Well, my darling isn't my spouse, but he soon will be. My live-in boyfriend has bipolar and GAD. I will admit to you that some days are very difficult because he's on a low and he cannot pull himself out of it. Try to be encouraging no matter what. Keep positive and always be there to listen to him when he needs to talk to you. Always be patient with him. Being in a routine will help him tremendously. Make sure he get good sleep, and stays active a good bit. Being active will help with the lows. I get him to stop and think about things when he is worrying about it. I stop him and ask him, "Hey, is the worrying doing you any good? Is it helping the situation? Are you worrying about something that has happened or that you think will happen?" There are many books out there that deal with this. There is one called Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder by Julie Fast and John Preston. It can be found at Barnes and Noble online or at the store. I always keep in mind that the spark of the wonderful man that I love is still in there. I know that sometimes the meds are talking and sometimes it's the disorder. I love him dearly and reassure him on a regular basis that there is nothing that is going to change that or change that I want to be with him forever.

Answer 3

I didn't live with him. I divorced him when I realized he was never going to change and I needed peace in my old age. He was either the sweetest guy in the world or a crazy man throwing furniture out the window. He ran a business and was successful but couln't keep his home life on an even keel. He died recently and my sadness for him was that he was just never really happy. Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 4

I'm bipolar. My husband encourages me to use my seasonal affective disorder (SAD) light in the morning, gets me up and makes me go to bed at regular hours (nags), goes with me to counseling appointments occasionally to help develop a team approach to my illness, does more chores or makes dinner when I am too depressed to do anything. He tries to help me when I'm crying, but I asked him to leave me alone because it doesn't help me, and so he does that (mostly). He tries hard not to engage me in an argument when I'm melting down because I'm overwhelmed and accidentally take it out on him (I'm pretty good most of the time about not doing that, but it still happens a couple times a month).

What I do in return is apologize when I mess up, and try to warn him when I'm melting down so he can go out to the garage or something and get away. I'm not very nice about this, I'll yell "go away! get out of here! I don't want to yell at you!" But of course, I am already doing that. It's all that I can do, though, to warn him. I take my meds faithfully, but they only work somewhat. I help him with his own problems as best I can (force myself to get up and go). He's got diabetes and is legally blind now from that conditon, so I have to do all the driving and help him with projects once in awhile (read schematics, etc.) I wish he would go out and get some more social support from others, but he doesn't, and I think that's a mistake. That's something you ought to think about. I think a person who is sick with anything has an obligation to keep as much of the load off their spouse as possible, and will want to be extra loving and thoughtful to make up for it (within the limitations of the illness). Heck, that's good advice for any marriage!!

All the best to you!!

Answer 5

Just try addressing/dealing with issues with a positive mind,and lots of love and patience.

Answer 6

I'm the bi-polar one. My wife is VERY patient with me and I love her for it. And she insists I take my meds and keep all my Dr. appointments.

Answer 7

this is bugs280's wife actually I lock him in a closet don't let him lie :)

Answer 8

good question I would like to get mine help!

Answer 9

Send her back to Poland, where she came from.