My heart goes out to you... I have bipolar 1 also have experienced psychotic episodes... I take sublinox, lamictal, Seroquel, latuda and trintellix... I have been doing well on these meds for some time now.. I know each of us is different but it took time but I worked with pdoc to find a combination that worked... . have you talked to your pdoc about a med tweak... as far as behavior, maybe a professional can help you to work through your emotions... are you in therapy... also marriage counseling can help both of you to communicate better to each other... for her son I would recommend therapy as well ... I hope you feel better soon... ((hugs)) polar

Couples counseling, an educational program for family of persons with mental illness, and a book called Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder (by Fast and Preston) were very helpful in healing my marriage. Most important was my learning to recognize my symptoms early and trust my wife was more sane than me when I was having symptoms. Hang in there.

I'm also BP1 and had some unhappy years but it all changed when I started using lithium. Like magic the mania and psychosis were gone.

I would discuss these symptoms with your doctor and I would also get into some type of therapy if possible to help you with some coping skills ... I'm sorry you're all going through so much
Her child is around this and it's no good for any of you.... Big squishy hug.....xo

I aready responded to YOU, but also wanted to add... if an EIGHT year old is able to express he is depressed, Wow! PLEASE get him on with a therapist ASAP. Also, inform his school and ask if he can be put in their Kids in the Middle program. It was originally designed for kids whose parents were divorcing but it supports all students in need of access to professional counseling due issues that may affect their academic performance. I first began having suicidal ideation at the age of nine. I was 15 before anyone knew and had tried killing myself over 12 times before graduating high school. I overdosed on anything I could get my hands on before I went to sleep at night, just hopimg I wouldn't wake up. I wasn't out for attention. Frankly, I don't know how I managed to hidevthe effects a few times. Once I finally got help and disgnosed as a college freshman, I have had episodes that were much worse and yet I have never tried again because I have always held myself responsible for doing all I can 1st. PLEASE let your child know NOW that help is available. My 9 year-old had some serious acting out and was eventually able to express even being suicidal. He made improvements with some med changes but the biggest improvement gas been since we added a sleeping pill. We knew he wasn't sleeping well, but I cannot believe what a HUGE difference it has made. Hang in there.

Hon glad you are back stay a good long while!

Its hard being in a relationship with a "normy" when you have all of these major issues to deal with. Are you in treatment with a Pdoc and a Therapist? I ask because generally if your seeing a Therapist, thats a good person to get all of your "crap" out to and you have less to take back home. There are always going to be stressful times, when you have psychosis its not like you can schedule when your going to have an episode. You guys might need to have a serious conversation to make sure she's in the relationship for the long haul and knows that although you can and should be in treatment, you will never be cured, as there is no cure, you will never be able to predict when an episode is coming on.

She's either in and can handle it or she's out....but if she's in, she can't grouch at you each time you have an episode and are a bit grumpy or mean. Now the other side is, if she's willing to be all in, you have a responsibility to make sure your getting the treatment that can help you the most, because BiPolar Disorder of any type is a life long disease, and it's a disease that you have to learn to intertwine in your daily life, its the only way it works. You need to be on medication with a Psychiatrist and you need to be in regular Therapy with a Psychologist or Therapist. Generally if your doing all you can to work towards stability your partner is more understanding because your doing all you can.

As for raising a child with ADHD, been there done that. Most children with ADD or ADHD are very intelligent or very artistic, they have tons of emotions running through them that they don't have a clue how to voice or manage or handle, because their children and their brains are not developed enough. Its her job as a parent to help her child work through the stress of ADHD. If the child is on meds, the meds can make them feel like crap. My son put up with meds until he was 16 and a Football player and then he simply said, "if you want me to take the meds you'll have to tackle me and shove them down my throat." We let him stop the meds. Having the child see a Pediatric Therapist is a really good idea, they need an outlet, someone they can say anything to without the worry that they might get in trouble. Taking my child to a child Psychologist was the best thing I ever did for him....he learned coping tools, he learned how to handle his anger and how to voice his emotions/how he felt without being angry or depressed.

And yes my son acted out, he was diagnosed at 4, because at 4 he would be so angry he would go in his bedroom and shove his dresser over, through toys at the wall so hard they stuck in the sheet rock, he would trash his room until he was exhausted and then just break down in tears. He didn't know how to tell us how he felt inside. Now he's 26, he graduated High School, he's a Fireman and in the Army National Guard and does just fine.

Good luck with all you've got going on.

K

Thank everyone for your input, we are definitely getting the 8 year old in counseling and I am getting into therapy as well. I thank you guys so much for your inspiration and kind words

Stay strong. You got this.