Unsure

The doctor is a mental health counselor, and the whole reason I set up the appointment was to get someone outside of our relationship that he could talk to, and get an outside opinion. After their first appointment, she has said that she is 98% sure he is manic depressive. Which I was already sure of as well, before he went.

She told him that she'd continue to see him a few more times and in the meantime, set him up with a person who could prescribe meds for him. She wants to get him to go to therapy regularly, which he wants to do as well (THANK GOD!) and also get someone who he can check in with medication-wise.

One of the reasons he's going to therapy is because he takes little things and blows them out of proportion. I knew that if I relied on him to make his own appointment, he'd blow up and give up, and that would be the end of us. So I did it for him. However, asking questions about what she recommended so I can follow up with new appointments makes him feel vulnerable and judged. I feel thankful that he even told me as much as he has.

So I have no idea what to do next. I feel like I finally have an answer to what is going on, and I feel extremely RELIEVED that it's out of my hands now. I have taken care of us so long that to have him dump part of it on someone else is an immense comfort. I know that taking on too much, which is what I've done in the past, will hold him back.

I want to know - how will I know what is too much and waht is not enough? What do I do next? I feel like this is the beginning, but I don't know where the rest of the steps are so that I can start to move forward.

How much is too much and how much is not enough? Only you know how much you can take. What you can do is help him make appointments if he wants you to, remind him of his appointments, help him get to the appointments, remind him to take his meds. You can only do these things if he is receptive to them, if he is not you can't.

What is next? The person she is probably refering him to is probably a psychiatrist. He will begin the road of finding a med regiment that will work for him. Comonly called a cocktail. Unfortunately finding the right cocktail tends to be trial and error. Stick with it though, it may take a while but the outcome will be well worth it. He will need to see the pdoc regularly for tweeks to his meds in order to keep him stable. He will also want to see the therapist regularly to work through what is happening to him.

When things happen you can get in touch with his doctor yourself. Problem... they cannot discuss his case with you by law unless he signs a release of information. What you can do: Tell the doctor what is happening, they can use the information as they see fit and hopefully in helping him.

One of the things I tell all of the loved ones of a person with bipolar disorder is to get counciling for themselves. This will help you with dealing with the things that are happening and what to expect. Coping methods. You need to stay as mentally and physically healthy as possible in order to help him.

A relationship with a person that has bipolar is hard but it is not impossible.

Feel free to ask questions, give answers, vent, and make new friends. There is usually someone here most anytime of the day.

You are not alone, we are here for you.

God Bless

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