Know yourself well and your moods, whatever sets them off. You will desperately need to communicate with your partner. He should not be motivated by your diagnosis but by how you have acted so far with his daughter. Understand your diagnosis the best you can by researching, reading and talking to your healthcare professionals. Then you will be better equipt to share with others. This illness holds many gifts for you if you approach it with a positive attitude. How you react to it will be seen by the people you love around you. I pray for your peace, comfort and positive moving forward journey.

I know your fears well. I felt the same way. But the truth is, you're still the same person they've always known you to be - it's just that now theres a label and a few meds to go along with it.

People who care about you and/or pay attention should be Relieved, not frightened, that the behavior you have been exhibiting over time has a Name, and can be Treated with proper medication.

Of course some folks will always "shrink" from a label (excuse the pun), but hopefully your guy will see that you will be getting HELP, not getting Worse.

Best to you - :)

Whatever happens you can allways find solice in the fact that you are not alone and that a lot of people have the same affliction. Yes some people have issues with mental illness but you have the choice of weather or not they need to know. With treatment most people will only notice that you are doing better and that is all that is important to them. Best wishes and I hope you find help with whatever the dx happens to be. (((Huggs)))

Just remember to take it one step at a time. And, you do not have to tell anyone unless you feel they have to know. Nobody is going to see Bipolar stamped across your forehead. If you are Bipolar, it's ok.
If your partner can take the time to learn about Bipolar, he could understand that we aren't going to harm anyone, especially our children.
Many hugs to you and update us after your Pdoc appt!!

Welcome Sally!

Thanks for all the support, i'll keep you updated. I think its possible i do have bipolar as i was worried i was schizophrenic with my psychosis - i couldn't think of another possible answer to hearing voices and hallucinations. Then my counsellor said that it could also be a symptom of bipolar.
Naturally, i did a lot of research into this after i was told that and i do have pretty much all the classic symptoms.
Also a lecturer at my college has hinted at it before. And when i was at school some of the teachers thought i was using drugs as sometimes i would be very depressed and withdrawn, and the other times literally bouncing off the walls!!

Hi! I feel weird offering any advice when I am right where you are. I have been struggling for years without a clue. Suffering for years because I honestly didn't know there was anywhere to turn. I hid behind the confident, capable but quirky illusion I created because I felt something just wasn't right but not what. I haven't been formally diagnosed either...I'm on the waiting list. Waiting to see if what I believe I am facing, have been dealing with for years is what I truly have come to think it is. Waiting for a bit of hope that there is a better way to cope...meds, therapy, anything positive to help me move forward. I just wanted to say that you have to do what is right for you. If you are bipolar it is a medical issue not just a mental one. I've fought with myself to accept that and acceptance has been a very long process. If you need meds, you need meds period. You are trying to make yourself well and no one should hold that against you. I understand the not wanting anyone to suddenly think differently, to lose trust. I've been so afraid of that for years. Never told anyone about the thoughts of suicide or anything else for that matter because I was afraid they would start watching me like I was a child, take everything out of context, pass me off as crazy and unable to live my own life. I think it has to be worth the risk in the end though, please let it be worth the risk to just get the help that we need. Life is a gamble anyway isn't it? I know that for me I tend to build obstacles higher in my mind than they are in real life. So stigma be damned, I'd rather have bipolar stamped on my forehead and be well than continue on this way lost.