Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group

This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.

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help with getting wife treatment/to accept her pro

deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel my wife is bipolar. She is undiagnoised but she told me she was after researching it on the internet. She has been on and off antidepressants for years. For the most part, they helped. Recently she was actively seeking a psychiatrist. She stopped. She now thinks she is ADD and she is taking Straterra. It seems to me this drug is all wrong for her. It is helping her focus but she focuses on all the bad things that have gone wrong with our marriage. She has us in serious financial difficulties. I have enabled her. She wants a divorce for the 3rd time since April 2009. I am struggling with the mood swings. I believe she is in the middle of a mixed episode. I have tried to encourage her to get help. Just two weeks ago she loved me and now she tells me she hates me. I know I have said some things I shouldn't have. I am frustrated. My three children and I are suffering. My wife is suffering too. We are actually going to therapy together. This therapist has seen both of us individually. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?of us individually. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
lr78571
lr78571
It's a good sign if she's willing to go into therapy with you. She will ultimately have to be the one who gets help for herself and accept her diagnosis. I will tell you that your situation sounds very similar to mine and my husband has been diagnosed as bipolar. It's a tough situation to be in. Be strong and hang in there - you are not alone :)
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
No one other than a competent psychiatrist can diagnose her. There are at least 16 things that look like bipolar.

She does need to see a psychiatrist and I suggest you focus on that. You need to let her know that this will be of benefit to her whatever she decides. I would ask her not to make decisions until she has done that.

I have to say that in marriages breakdowns that even in "healthy" people there is a good deal of inconsistent communications and people often go hot and cold. I've experienced it personally and I've also been the close friend of a few people that are going through the decision process.

I'd caution against trying to diagnose her state yourself. The criteria for mixed episode are below. It involves elements of mania (hallucinations, delusions, psychosis) and extreme depression. It is possibly one of the most dangerous states. If she is psychotic then she needs to be taken to an ER. In the UK she could be sectioned.

1.Your symptoms have lasted long enough to meet the duration requirement of at least one week during which time you also meet the criteria for both a manic episode and a depressive episode.
2.Your symptoms are severe enough to disrupt your daily life. Do you need to be hospitalized or are you experiencing psychotic features?
3.Your symptoms are caused by a drug (legal or otherwise) or another medical problem (see Ruling Out Other Physical Conditions).
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