I am trying to recover from wanting a relationship with someone who is bipolar (on lithium). He has many issues. I am new to this illness... can anyone let me know what a long-term relationship is like with someone who is bipolar and has episodes (even on meds)? I can look up info websites... but would love some personal insight more. What is your life like as the spouse/partner? Thanks.
2007-07-25 04:11:19 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I've been in a relationship for four years and she has bipolar disorder type2. The mood swings can last for days or even weeks. She recently started using lithium and it seems to work ok for her. Having a relationship with someone who has bipolar takes patience. I would find out what type of bipolar your partner has and recommend you to spend some time researching it to understand your partner's needs so that you can identify the symptoms. I've listed a couple of links that can help.
2007-07-25 04:29:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Frustrating at times, takes a lot of patience, understanding and getting plenty of support for yourself. It'll be 38 years tomorrow, and I wouldn't trade it for the world, But that is because he is a wonderful person and loves me dearly, as I do him.
Think of what you would feel like if he had an amputated leg, or heart disease, or something like that. You can find ways to cope and support one another when you are both committed to the relationship.
I am not saying it will be easy, just one of the challenges of life. None of us chooses this illness, and you have to weigh the costs and benefits of the relationship.
We didn't know 38 years ago, but we promised to stay with it for better or worse,, sometimes its better (most of the time) and sometimes its worse. You learn to work around it.
Hope this helps
Karen
2007-07-25 11:18:46 · answer #2 · answered by comfortyourheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take it to serious! It's just another disorder who makes a person an individual. I am bipolar, and I have three kids and a wonderful husband. It's not as bad as doctors make it out to be. Of course I have mood swings but I'm not violent and hurtful by any means. I say every one has their own fawls.
2007-07-25 11:22:48 · answer #3 · answered by Dixie_mom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been married to a bi-polar person for almost 7 years. My life is generally fine. We are very happy with one another. Here is the key: my spouse is very dedicated to beating this disease, and I support her. She takes her meds as directed. She regularly communicates with her psychiatrist and therapist. When she has bad mood swings, she contacts them for help. Sometimes the meds need to be adjusted. It is not an exact science. Perhaps even more importantly, we work together! I look for signs of mania or depression, and try to let her know if she seems like she is swinging so she can look into it. I also try to recognize when it is bi-polar making her act a certain way, while trying not to blame bi-polar for all of our problems. We communicate and support one another, and we both stay educated on the subject. You are right to read websites and to learn as much as you can. It really helps!
There are tough times. I don't want to pretend that our life is perfect. Her meds make her tired a lot, and sometimes it is hard to motivate her to do things. I do a lot of the cooking and cleaning... but NOT all of it. You have to prod sometimes to get them to do things, but you really should. Our sex life is not as frequent as I would like, but we both make an effort to do better, and when we DO have sex, it is great. It is not like we never have sex, and we usually average about once a week, though it usually is in clusters. We're working on it. Also, sometimes she is moody or grouchy, and I encourage her, but if that doesn't work then we are agreed that I can just ignore it. I just make sure to give her lots of hugs and try not to take it personally. I also try to get out on my own once in awhile for some "me" time to recharge. The cost of her medications are difficult to keep up with, even with insurance, and having a job with health benefits is a must! The worst thing that has happened is that she has had a couple of serious depressive episodes and we had to take her to the hospital for a few days. It is stressful and difficult to deal with, but we both rely on the support of family and friends to get through.
Truth is, however, that most of this could happen in a relationship with someone who is NOT bi-polar! As with any relationship, you take the bad with the good, so long as the other person loves you and treats you right. Because we work so hard at it and communicate, the rest of the problems that most people have in their relationship are mostly absent from ours. We hardly ever fight. We talk a lot. We hang out and enjoy one another's company. We have similar interests. We have fun! And we are still in love like we were seven years ago. I wouldn't change a thing. Bi-polar and our dedication to fighting it may even have brought us closer.
If your loved one is bi-polar and puts in a legitimate effort to overcome it, then you can certainly have a fruitful and enjoyable relationship with them. Bi-polar people deserve our love as much as anyone else, and if they get the treatment they need, 95 days out of a hundred they will be perfectly normal. BUT... like anyone who has problems, be it bi-polar or alcohol abuse or cancer or just a bad attitude, if they don't put in the effort to right their own ship, then there is little you can do about it. You may as well leave now and move on with your life. It won't be worth it.
I hope that helps! Good luck!
2007-07-25 11:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
my girlfriend says its 'interesting'. It can take quite a toll on partners tho especially when one is delusional with jealousy.
2007-07-26 12:33:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋