bipolar dp - what to do?

[stickylittlefingers]

don't know for sure, but he suspects it. We had a bad time last night, he was in tears and rock bottom. He is in a creative profession and works very hard, but finds the stress very difficult to cope with and takes it very personally. He has relatives with the disorder, and more of them have various problems of a similar nature if it's not properly bipolar.

What to do? He's not one to go the dr, tho he did have a bad time about 3 years ago and was off work for a while. Would a diagnosis really help? Should I just get him to take fish oil tablets and see what happens?

No. He needs to see a doctor.

Has he been diagnosed with bopolar before?

I think he should go to the GP.

I would strongly encourage him to see a doctor.
My ex-dp (although we may hopefully be working things out) is bi-polar and was sectioned in Dec as he has had a very bad episode. The depression is slightly easier to handle but the mania is quite terrifying and you need to have some medical peeps in the know in case your dh swings badly that way and you need urgent help. The depression needs treating though and if he is bi-polar they will need to be very careful as his mood may raise too far and go into mania so should get some professional help.

def see GP - my lovely brother has this and terrified us all in a manic episode a number of years ago before being diagnosed. It could have been really dangerous. He was sectioned too. Is fine now with careful combination of meds (and meditation!). If it is bi-polar it can swing out of control very quickly and I doubt can be dealt with on his/your own.

good luck.

thanks everyone - sorry didn't reply before but am having probs. dp is much better since the weekend (tis a problem that when he's better he doesn't need help and when he's bad he's in no mood to do anything like that, also I find it hard when he's well to remind him about before, don't want to spoil it). Will certainly try re drs - might make a speculative visit myself first.

Thanks again!