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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When talking to a saner/normie...

HannaHana
HannaHana
How do you think it's best approached? I need to explain some of my BP to my fiance...he has read books and I've talked to him before, but he still fails to understand at all.

What sort of things should I bring up and stress more? How do I try to "make" him understand even though it's something I know he cannot? I know nothing I say will actually make him fully understand, but I just need him to be a little more understanding.

What should I bring up? I'll be writing it all down so that I don't forget anything...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
HannaHana
HannaHana
lmao! Yeah, bacon will help anyone with anything! Bacon is the best!
deleted_user
deleted_user
put bacon inside the books for him?
deleted_user
deleted_user
"put bacon inside the books for him," that is too cute and too clever.............. how delightful, ty for giving me a smile, both of you!
HannaHana
HannaHana
hahahaha. Put bacon in the books....he's not a bacon lover. I know. How could I be with a non-bacon loving man? Ooh...I wish I had a good pound of bacon right now. Now I'm craving!
deleted_user
deleted_user
theyre the best kind. they dont demand fry ups and they dont nick your bacon.
deleted_user
deleted_user
what? no bacon? WTF does he eat with his eggs? Toothpaste?
deleted_user
deleted_user
tell him its like having pms, something your body does now and then and can't help it. for some reason men understand pms
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well, if it's mania you want to give a picture of the film Michael Clayton has a good depiction & likewise the documentary The Devil & Daniel Johnston.

Can anyone truly understand another? (sorry, musing)

Darkness Visible by William Styron is a vivid account of depression, isn't a terribly long book, um...

Then just something practical about being in a relationship with someone who has BP?

There are pretty good support groups for Family & friends of BP in the US ( so a relative tells me)..maybe attending one would clue him in some?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh, Hurry Down Sunshine is a memoir by a guy whose daughter has BP1..for another perspective
deleted_user
deleted_user
Time is the best teacher for him, baby steps.
HannaHana
HannaHana
He's been with me for over 3 1/2 years and has been through every step of the BP with me. He still doesn't understand it at all. I know he'll never "truly" understand it, I'm just hoping for some tips on how to approach all the different aspects of it.

Thanks Lou and asecretstorm...and everyone!
jeansmind
jeansmind
Sounds like you have done more than enough to help him understand....Don't worry, if he loves you, all that won't matter anyway!!!!!
olenka1
olenka1
At least he is trying to understand by reading books, so that's a starting point. Maybe just explain to him what it's like for you & that you need him to support you & get you help when you can't do it yourself, without you getting annoyed with him. Maybe get him to go to p.doc sessions with you so your p.doc can explain things to him aswell.Hope this helps.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I believe that is great if your fiance says he will never understand... this shows intelligence and insight... good for you both!
HannaHana
HannaHana
Oh no...he insists that he does understand...I just know he never will. He doesn't understand even when I try to explain to him why he doesn't understand. Very misunderstanding guy. lol.

He does take the initiative to read some books and all, and I appreciate that from him. There's got to be some way for him to admit that he doesn't understand and try to listen better to what I'm saying.