Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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My Fiance (need advice)

abby80
abby80
Hi guys,
I joined this community because I highly suspect my fiance has bipolar disorder. It runs in his family and he has many of the symptoms. He has suffered from severe depression and suicidal thoughts/tendencies for many years. Unfortunately he has no health insurance, but I want to help him find a good psychiatrist and be properly diagnosed so he can start receiving treatment. We're currently separated right now and part of this is because of his current mental state. Could you guys offer me any suggestions or advice on being in a relationship with someone who is bipolar? He has such severe mood swings and during the past several months has been very mean and even verbally/emotionally abusive to me. I love him so much and want to help him. I have my own mental issues too, so this has been very difficult on our relationship. While we are apart I am going to work on my own issues, go on a higher dosage of my medication for my ocd, etc.
Can you share your stories of how you were diagnosed and what treatments worked well for you?
Thank you so much.
abby
deleted_user
deleted_user
Gee Abby, has he expressed that he may have BP? That may be the first step. A pdoc visit isn't all that much out of pocket just tell them upfront no insurance. Certain meds can be as low as 4 dollars at Walmart. Need to know more info on what he thinks.
CarlaBentley
CarlaBentley
Be sure to join the Family & Friends of Bipolar Community, too!!!!
People there should be able to give you some insights that we BPers may not be able to!!!
abby80
abby80
oh sorry, i didn't even see that community! yes, richard thinks he has it as well. I printed off a questionnaire of a website and gave it to him and he said yes to all the questions. He is realizing that he may really need to be on meds. In the past, I never actively pushed him to see a psychiatrist because he is a very stubborn man and had been put on antidepressants as a teen and had a bad experience with them. however, he was taking them in conjunction with a sleeping pill and he was tired all the time. I think he is now realizing he really needs help, he said to me "I'm sick, I need help" Which is a great first step. However, with the split I don't know how much I can help him without being foolish. My mother does not want me paying for him to see a psychiatrist, saying he is a grown man who needs to help himself. He is 24 so he is still a full time college student and not working so he has no money. I know my shrink saw me for only twenty five dollars when I had no insurance, which is cheaper than my current co-pay! I had been his patient for years though so maybe that is why. There was a psychiatrist upstairs from the doctor's office I used to work in who charged upward of a hundred dollars per visit!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Look into finding a community mental health clinic where he can see a professional at a reduced fee due to lack of insurance, and depending on his income.

I wish the two of you the best!
abby80
abby80
thank you, jil! I have already found a mental health clinic in our community and am going to call them first thing tomorrow!
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