Introduction

Hey everyone, I’m brand new to this and also the first time I have spoken about this on a platform such as this.

My Backstory (if you want to read)

My name is Alida and I’m 21 years old. Currently, I am a nursing student in college living with my dad. I have been in a relationship for 8 years with my boyfriend, Aaron, 25. About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic disorder. It wasn’t a surprise, as I had known something was wrong when I was about 7 years old. Day to day life can be tough, but with my medication, and excellent support system in my father and Aaron, it’s a little less of a struggle. 

Intro Continued

However, in January of 2017, I noticed a stark shift in Aaron’s mood. I blew it off thinking it was due to his new job causing him more stress than usual. (I won’t post his job title for privacy reasons). He previously had issues with stress, but nothing more than he couldn’t handle. This was different. The first thing I noticed were the mood swings. He would cycle rapidly, from irritability and frustration, to elation and talkativeness. As the months progressed, he became worse: lacking patience (something he always had with me), becoming more irrational and impulsive. For example, with gambling. He spends huge sums of money at a time and does not stop to think about the consequences. Once, he won more money than he came with and decided to go out on a shopping spree resulting in a new laptop of which neither of us needed. If he loses his money while gambling, I am the first one he blames and takes his aggression out on. 

Aaron’s moods are unpredictable and all over the place, never knowing what he is going to be like or say from day to day. About 6 months ago, I tried to bring his mood swings to his attention, but that only made him angry and argumentative. He didn’t want to hear what I had to say and began to attack me on a personal level. Needless to say, I haven’t tried to talk to him about it again. The only person I have confided in about Aaron is my dad, and I know he is getting sick of hearing about all of his antics. 

I have tried getting myself and eventually Aaron into counseling but being a broke college student really doesn’t work in my favor. 

Aaron’s Backstory

Aaron is 25 years old with a demanding but great paying job. We have been together for 8 years going on 9. He is a wonderful man who loves me and has immense talent with limitless potential. He lives at home with his parents and 2 younger siblings. For the past two years, we have discussed moving in together, but for now I have too much apprehension surrounding his extreme mood swings. On the other hand, I know living with me would be better for him. His home life is volatile (domestic abuse and alcoholism). His parents constantly fight, and being the oldest child, he is put in the middle of it all, and forced to protect his younger siblings. He refuses to talk about it, but I know he has seen and heard some things in his life that have been emotionally damaging. In addition, the relationship he has with his father is almost nonexistent. This has taken a toll on him and now I believe it’s all starting to come out.

NOTE: Aaron has not been clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After observing and being on the receiving end of his behavior for over a year, bipolar disorder is a suggestion that I have considered. He exhibits almost all of the signs, but I’m still researching and impartial to other reasons. 

(Sorry for such a long read)