If you feel as if you are walking on eggshells, I suggest you stop and get back what you are losing. I felt this way and ignored it and it led me to places I would rather not discuss in my relationship, much worse off than you think they can be. It's at these times the the BP runs rampant and controls not only the person inside of it, but YOU as well. Please be sure to maintain your independence of it and do what's right for you and your family as a whole. Take time for yourself, get away for a walk and do not let this dictate your life. Your husband has a say in this as well, unless he has given in completely. If that is the case, you could possibly have an intervention between you and his family to tell him that the way he's been acting is not right. Just a thought.

Yep, I look for the signs all the time, it's become second nature to me now and can pick up when it is happening straight away.

Not that it makes a blind bit of difference to my mum who will carry on going up despite being told the mania is starting again. I've waved so many 'red flags' at her over the years, makes no difference.

Yeah it's hard to get close cuz you're afraid of getting smashed when the next mania hits. Fortunately my husband is compliant with his meds so far but that doesn't mean he will be if he has a breakthru episode. Just trying to learn to detach so I won't get crushed by the mania but still maintain my love for him. So far detachment isn't working. But I'm trying.

Yes, I feel I can never totally let my guard down, lest that be the moment the next bomb goes off.
I work daily at reminding myself that I can not control everything.

I don't sit around worrying about when the next time will be. I believe (at least for me) that it is worse on me. I try to keep the family life as close to normal as it can be. Yes I do watch for signs and then deal with the situation at the time. It seems to be less stressful on my better half this way. That and she has friends here to help her when she feels things are not right and she can turn to them and talk.

Yes i feel it too..the waiting game..my husband isn't even home from hospital yet & is coming home from a weekend pass & i'm already anxious & wondering will it happen again..when..what will i do? what will he do? will he be as cooperative next time as this time? or will it be harder..what about our daughter..but today my dr reminded me of something..i need to look at life in shorter terms..concentrate on goals & dreams we have together on a 6 month basis..mapping our life out over the next 20 years of doom will only hurt our relationship & our daughter & drive me crazy..short term to see greater long term rewards..i'm trying..all of everyone's comments help..thanks & good luck..make sure you take time for yourself you need it to stay strong..self care is important.

Yesterday we were at the park and my husband took off his brand NEW tennis shoes and gave them to a boy who, truth is, he did seem less fortunate than we are, and I became histerical, not because of him giving them away, but because it is usually the 1st sign of mania....I want to run away and hide for the next couple of months =(