Bipolar Support Group

Well,

It is as I thought, my husband was extremely manic over the weekend. By Sunday, he couldn't even remember his name or birth date. I was finally, after 2 weeks of living hell, able to get him to the hospital. I had to trick him to think he was just getting blood work. When we got there, the nurse knew right away that he was in a manic state. Before I knew it, we were in the back and they were sedating him. One shot should have knocked him out, but it took three, and he his body was still fighting to stay awake. Later that night, they moved him upstairs to the mental health ward, where they finally got him to sleep.

Monday, I had to go to the probate office to have him legally committed. We live in Alabama, and in this state, a hospital can not hold someone against their will. He continually repeated that there was nothing wrong with him and to let him go. I had no choice. He was having hallucinations and was very suicidal. Never the less, I feel horrible for having to lock him up there, even though I know it is for his own good. And to have to sign commitment papers!!! I have been a hopeless crying mess.

I went to see him Monday, and he was still out of it. He was very upset that he was locked up, and thought there was still nothing wrong with him. It was not a happy visit.

Yesterday, he was much better, he actually looked like my husband. He was starting to smile and he even laughed! You could tell he was starting to come around. Every now and then he threw out that he didn't need to be there, but I was able to calm him down. I explained that he was Bipolar, and asked if he knew what that was, and he said yes. He really doesn't want to take the medication though. But I told him he had no choice, and to get use to it, he would be taking it the rest of his life.

So there we have it. yup I committed my husband, and you know what, I am glad I did. Now I know all those horrible fights over nothing were the disease, and not me.

I will keep you all posted on his recovery. Thank you to everyone for your support, I was ready to get a divorce, but now I think things will be different.

Stephanie

You did well, Stephanie. What you did was hard, I know, but he will be better off because of it. Hats off to you for having the strength to do what needed to be done.

Thank you!

I get to go see him in 2 hours.

Stephanie,

Although it was difficult, you did the right thing. Good for you! Once your husband gets better, he will thank you for helping him the way you did. When I was involuntarily hospitalized after having my first manic/psychotic episode in 2006, my sister ended up calling 911 and had me committed. I spent a little over a month in the hospital. Like your husband, I insisted that nothing was wrong with me and demanded to go home. It wasn't until I no longer heard voices, was delusional or paranoid and came down from my mania that I realized my sister saved my life. For that, I will be forever grateful. I'm sure your husband will feel the same way. He is lucky to have a loving, caring wife like you.

Post edited by: neondreams, at: 03/11/2009 12:23

That's awesome. It's so hard to make your loved ones go into a hospital. I know how you feel. My son was diagnosed with bipolar when he was 8 years but he had always had it. I knew something was wrong with him but I didn't know what to do. He was seeing a therapist who told me I had to take him to a hospital so he could get properly medicated and properly diagnosed. It was awful, naturally he didn't want to go and was devastated. When I signed him in he cried and begged me to not leave him there. I've never felt so guilty in my life. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I went out to the car and cried and cried. Than I drove home. I visited him the next day and he was happy telling me he liked it there. I had to put him in the hospital a second time when he was 13 so they could change his meds in a protected environment. He didn't want to go than either. Just thinking about it now makes me sad. It was the right thing to do for my son, I wanted him to be happy and healthy so I did what I had to do.

oh, thank you! You just made me feel so much better!!!

You hang in there, Stephanie and continue to let us know how he is doing. ((((((Stephanie))))))

Honey, Your husband is an extremely lucky man. You say you are considering the option of divorce. I am so proud of you that you did not make that your first option. You really did do the best thing for your husband. I feel it was a very unselfish decision. You knew that there could be back lash and he could hold it against you. Still you had the courage to do what was best for everyone involved. Most of all your husband. He too will understand that if they get him proper treatment and stable. I don't envy you at all. I know your situation is very difficult. If you don't believe me you could ask my other half. I overdosed and almost died about a month ago. Granted I was in ICU at first and then a regular ward. But I did go to the mental health ward. At the time I was reluctant but my husband stood up for what was right. In doing so...my life is being saved and my family is growing stronger. Hang in there girl! My prayers are with you.

Thank you Geni!

I am glad to see your out and doing better yourself!

I went to see him last night, and he was an ass. I got up and left. I will not sit there and listen to his made up crap any more. I know he is sick, but that doesn't mean I have to take it. Later that night, he tried to call and say he was sorry, which is a first. He had already had his 2 calls for the day, so he didn't get to call me. I will see him tonight.

Stephanie,

The same thing happened to me in 2006 when I was hospitalized. One evening my sister came to visit and started fingerspelling (i.e. sign language) into my hand. I became extremely upset by this, immediately jumped out of my chair and shouted, "Leave me alone! You don't know fingerspelling!" and ran back to my room. As it turned out, she DID know fingerspelling because she learned it in high school, but I didn't know that. After I was better and my sister told me what happened, I apologized and explained that my reaction was part of my bipolar. I was severely confused and upset at the time which prevented me from being calm and rational.

Post edited by: neondreams, at: 03/13/2009 06:11