Anyone's dh/dp have bipolar disorder or similar? Tips?

[Brunch]

Dh has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which explains a lot about his behaviour over the years, and tensions that have arisen between us. It does place quite a strain on our relationship, and I wondered if any other mums are coping - or even thriving - in a similar situation? How?! Thanks.

Anyone ...?

no experience but you might get more of a response if you put this in the "feeling depressed" section?

My Dad has bipolar so slightly different to your situation but thought I'd post anyway! Is your dh under the care of a team of professionals? Does he have a decent CPN? Is his medication sorted?

My Dad was undiagnosed for years, was just labelled with clinical depression. He was very, very bad before diagnosis and had severe psychotic episodes. My Mum found that lack of sleep was a huge problem for him. Fatigue on top of the bipolar made life unbearable. Does your DH drink as this can also exacerbate problems?

Once his medication was sorted- although my Dad still had and has bad times- he became a happy, well adjusted man who you would never suspect as having bd.

Decent professional help comes first and you must have support yourself. What a relief for you to have a diagnosis.

Brunch, my dh was diagnosed mildly bipolar 2 years ago. It did answer a lot of questions regarding his behaviour. sorry I dont have long to chat, must do dishes and get ds in the bath.. but since the diagnosis and counselling things have definately got much much better . my dh was perscribed a mild AD (welbutrin) and he stayed on them for about 6 months, then as most BP patients do thought he was cured and came off them. rought patch for a few months and then he went back on them for another 4 months, came of them again and has been of them since. Things are very manageable - as I said it answered a lot of why he behaved the way he did, now we know that it is easier for me to know it is his brain malfunctioning and has nothing to do with me.

My brother and friend have this and both have opted for a holistic approach to things after years of prescriptions. Anyway from what i can see, exercise is hugly important as it can trigger the release of seratonin as can dark chocolate, also being rich in iron. but the biggest thing is to take cod liver oil, meant to really help.

my ex partner was at first thought to have this disorder but now he has been diagnosed with Disassociation Disorder. It explained a lot about his behaviour, not communicating, depressed, not sleeping,next to nothing Sex drive, delusions of grandeur and in the end during the last 2 yrs we were t,gether he became aggressive towards me and in the end i told him to leave. it has taken me 18 moths to get over the split as we have a 7 yr old ds. I hate to admit that i have no sympathy after the way he treated me and hope his next relationship is a complete horlicks. !!!!!!!! sorry .

Thanks, ladies. Helpful. Our relationship has come under a lot of strain, largely around issues which now seem distinctly 'bipolar'. I was wondering if a relationship can flourish with this diagnosis in the background, and clearly - for some - it can. Thanks.