Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Its very hard for us to say if he is or isnt.

There is a lot of information on the internet in regards to symptoms but the best thing you can do is speak to a doctor, ask their advice and then see about brroaching the topic with him.

He may be totally unreceptive though. BP'ers often dont think theyre ill until it gets to the stage where they need to be sectioned

The only way to know for sure is if a psychiatrist diagnoses him with BP.

We're in no position to diagnose people on DS.

Thanks for responding: I figured as much. I wasn't seeking a diagnosis per-se, but some insight into what conditions this behaviour looks like/ He is completely unreceptive to discussion (I'm at fault for irritating him).I've written to a local clinic using their online form & hope they'll be able to help me. Any comments from someone who is bi-polar would be of value as well. These episodes have diminished the quality of my life as I'm on a roller-coaster that won't stop. Thanks again.

BTW, What does 'sectioned' mean? He'll never admit he has a problem although he jokes about being an 'emotional cripple'.

Being sectioned means getting to a stage where you are deemed dangerous and admitted against your will to a psychiatric hospital.

Most BP people are mainly depressed for long periods of time and may only have 1 maybe 2 manic periods which as far as I know can last for months.

My hats is off to you as a spouse! I am the bp in our househould so I cannot speak from the outside looking in only as the inside looking out (meaning a person with bp in my world). I never did see it. I knew I was moody and angry a lot. I had no friends and my employees hated me. It wasn't until last February that I was thinking, enough, I was lashing out to my kids almost to the point of violence. My oldest is 15 so raising children was nothing new. I needed help and wanted it. Something that I learned is that you will no just go "talk to someone". My doctors perscribe medicine to help my moods (mostly manic, which can switch in a matter of minutes it seems). That started a whole new journey for our relationship. Meaning I was now medicated, after time moods gone, sleepy, sluggish person. My husband took over my role and stated that I did not "live". I cut way back on my meds, moods still there but we deal. Now I am dealing with to stay on those meds as the side effects just do not seem worth it, the cost (some 850 a month for 1 drug, with insurance),with switching of meds once again. As a apouse be ready for a JOURNEY, be supportative and find suport for yourself even now. As one with bp, one can only be helped to some degree of wanted and with that brings another set a demons with the hope of a better life!

Love,support, and smile everyday I wish you and your family all the best and hope you find someone to help your family and I hope your husband wants to also help your family!!

lt does sound like he's a rapid cycler but as others have said without him being assessed its difficult to say for certain and this would only help your situation if he sought help when he was stable. You have to come to your own understanding of what you can take and for how long for because without medical help nothing will change and he has to be complicit to carry on taking the meds and thats for his lifetime even when feeling better.

l lived with a bp parent who was unmedicated and she had rages and depressions that changed her personlity it was like living with a time bomb in a glass factory while walking on eggs...exhausting and heart-breaking. Talking to him when manic, raging or depressed is a waste of time the illness hears you not him so its the illness that will reply. The best time to try to get through is when he's stable, but if he chooses to stay in denial then its up to you to decide your future and happiness because love cannot fix this.

take him to a psychiatrist, there are at least 16 things that look like BP even to the medical preofession, you cannot diagnose him yourslf. See this

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Fam...

I agree with the others and what they say. Borderline personality disorder can also cause these symptoms. YOu will go batty trying to figure it out yourself. Unless HE is willing to accept that he needs help and he gets it, there is nothing you can do. Setting boundaries is key. Rather than badger him, tell him that you cannot stay unless he gets treatment. But, mean what you say and follow through.

xo

No, this is not bi-polar related. This is abuse and you are living in an abusive situation. I would get help, counseling and look into getting out of this situation before you get hurt. You are in danger, whether you think you aren't or not. Don't be foolish.

I am strongly dissagreeing with the comments here that seem to be linking bipolar with anger management issues and rage; this is simply NOT THE CASE. And Borderline disorders are NOT as prevalent in today's society as seems to be thought here. Furtherermore, trying to get some kind of arm-chair diax. for him is beneficial to you how? In reality it is not. It doesn't matter what the reason, he is not acting rationaly and he is directing a lot of anger and rage towards YOU. Talk to someone who works with battered women, they will set you straight and tell you precisly why you are in danger. Don't listen to people on this site who are NOT professionals!