Bipolar Support Group

First, I want to be clear that I am not looking for validation in a decision I have already made. I have said it many times and believe that IF I could find a way to make this a livable situation, I would be a lucky man. No strike that, I AM a lucky man already to be with my fiance. But after so many years of this struggle, I am running out of hope. I used to be able to consider the possibilities for a "good" outcome in our relationship. But with each passing "episode" I now confess its getting harder and harder. Right now I would have to sum the biggest roadblock to denial. And of course to being the lightning rod for all things bad in this world. I now know its the disease and not the person. What I need help with is; Can WE work together when these episodes occur, or will it always be time to play the blame game? What advice would you give me in finding hope that this can be our future rather than the one I currently face.

Thank you for reading this. Its surprisingly hard to write this down in a coherent fashion.

C.

I commend you. You ARE a lucky person, and your fiance is very lucky to have you. Reading your posts gives me insight as to your feelings towards bp. You are a very thoughtful and caring person with an unusually strong will. you also have a deep knowledge into the thoughts and feelings, which tells me that you care enough to ask your fiance how shes feeling at different times and phases.

You state that your fiance is bp, but you havent said what meds shes on(if any) whether or not she sees a tdoc, pdoc, md, etc...

Theres no one thing that will 'cure' her. but the right combination WILL. the problem usually arises when that 'combination' hasent been found yet.

DONT run out of hope, or faith, or love. Shes depending on you to survive. And yes, everyday can be a fight.

Hang in there, were all here for you AND her, if and when you need us.

Post edited by: BiPolarStoner, at: 04/23/2009 08:25 AM

At least you are supportive of your fiance and the bipolar thing. That's what matters and the fact you acknowledge there is a valid medical issue where bipolar is concerned. So many people are ignorant and brush this mental illness off and say there's nothing wrong with their friend or loved one.

So this just clicked minutes ago... ANGER/RAGE...that's the MANIC stage!!!!??? Is that right? And the depression, yes, that's widespread. That can last a long time. She has two doctors now (1 therapist and one psychiatrists who has started her on Cymbalta after prozac stopped helping) Odd thing is though, neither has "to the best of my knowledge" identified Bipolar as a likely condition. I think they are treating Rage and Depression. I think it would sure help both of us if we were dealing with a known rather than a random unknown.

Anyway, my thanks to you for offering the support. Anything I can do from the "partner of" side of that tracks would be my pleasure.

C

Extreme irritability can certainly be a part of mania although each of us is different. I tend to be extremely irritable towards the middle of a manic episode. My pdoc prescribed Clonazepam to help control my rapid cycling into agitation. I've been on this med for a little over a month and so far, it's working great. As for your fiancee, it's very possible that she could have either agitated depression or bipolar. If I were you, I'd write a list of her symptoms and give it to her pdoc at your next appointment.