Living with a bipolar partner

FBaby

We can't give medical advice, but if you look up bipolar disorder, it's not just about the depressive stages, but also about manic stages, ie. not just happy but on a high, which often show itself as impulsive behaviour, lack of sleep, extreme hyperness.

DomRavioli

Sounds more like a manifestation on the anxiety spectrum.

Your GP can help, but only if your partner wants help. Otherwise you're screwed.

interstellaflyer

FBaby wrote: »

We can't give medical advice, but if you look up bipolar disorder, it's not just about the depressive stages, but also about manic stages, ie. not just happy but on a high, which often show itself as impulsive behaviour, lack of sleep, extreme hyperness.

Which is why, from my own personal experience, what the OP describes doesn't necessarily fit with BiPolar Disorder, through my partners illness I've got to know other people with mental illness, I knew a woman with psychosis, she was generally a nice, kind, generous and loving person but she could then suddenly become very angry about very minor things that for most people wouldn't get more than a minor cuss.

Skylar34

Thank you for the replies, much appreciated. A close friend did ask me a while ago if he was ok as he seemed to be hyper and talking really fast, always talking over the top of people which I constantly remind him is downright rude, but does it anyway.



He goes through spells of not sleeping well, awake half the night, its like he has increased energy, then its like an aggressive streak kicks in for example if he can't find something he needs in the house he will just lose it and punch walls etc, always sorry but will then do the same thing again over something else, he does not care who hears him screaming and effing and blinding, no thoughts for anyone else when in the aggressive state.


Have made doctors appointment next week which will both attend and if we can't get anywhere with that will look into private appointment with someone as can't go on like this.


Interstella I totally sympathise and can't imagine you have an easy time trying to cope with everything going on with your partner

Detroit

Any possibility he could be taking illegal drugs?

Ames

My experience of bipolar is that it doesn't have such a regular pattern. I have hypomanic episodes every couple of years, with depression most of the time in between. It varies with the different types of bipolar, but constantly switching back and forth like that doesn't really fit.

Haydee_Milera

My Uncle from Canada was married for like more than 30 years. His wife was diagnosed with bipolar disease a few months before she passed away last year. So, that explained her mood swings throughout those more than 30 years of being together. Every time they visit, my uncle never came out of the house for more than an hour. His wife always calls him to go in. Now, he gets to tell more stories to us and we go places now.

FredG

Hopefully the counsellor will be able to provide more of an insight. When I was a teenager I suffered from depression, it believe it was a mix of situational factors and also being genetically pre-disposed to it. Years later I still get the occasional "dark" day but I try to make light of it as a coping mechanism. I just tell my girlfriend that I'm "Man-struating" and I'll snap out of it in a day or two. She feels bad she can't help but it's just the hand you get dealt in life. Best of luck to you both.

hazyjo

My BF has it.


He is now a house husband and blissfully happy. He didn't cope with the stresses of work/life. He'd had a pretty horrific childhood (common with bipolar).


It is extremely common for those with bipolar to take drugs (coke mainly) and drink excessively. As Detroit says - any chance he is?


When I first knew my BF, he took coke regularly and drank like a fish. I drank too much too. We rowed so much the neighbours complained. It was toxic.


I'd made him go to the docs when I suspected bipolar and they put him on antidepressants - he'd been diagnosed before but hadn't realised.


We've had 'normal' arguments since I moved house (and took him with me!), but nothing like back then. He no longer sees his 'dodgy mates' and now sees them for what they were. He's not taken drugs since. He's happy. I'm happy. The cats are happy. Life's happy!


Sorry not trying to share my life story LOL - just giving you an idea of how it can be. When they're down, there's usually a reason. My BF has random dark days, but they pass very quickly. He's not up and down like you describe (although was before we moved).


Jx

System

I'd recommend a second opinion, i was intially misdagnosed with depression until i had a hyper manic episode (less severe than mania) and was assessed and diagnosed by a psychiatrist. For me medication is the key to stability. But it took 3 1/2 years of being very unstable and very ill find the right medication for me. However now i'm on ones that work for me, my moods have started to settle again. I still have symptoms but its not so severe that i can't still work (albeit part time).

Obviously its a little hard for me to give advice for your situation, but my bf seems to cope ok with my Bipolar. He's supportive when i need him to be, he knows what symptoms to look out for and mointors my moods. If he thinks im going too far up or down he will encourage me to check in with my GP. He reminds me to take my medications and to pick up presciptions.

I know i can be very difficult to deal with when im in a depressive period, i'm more irritable for one. However this is no excuse to take it out on a partner. I'm responsible for making sure i dont make others feel bad, like snapping at people etc. Its not fair on them and i always try my best to keep myself calm (if needs be i leave the room, have 5 mins to calm down). if you're partner is getting snappy with you then i think that is a sign he needs help and help soon, and needs to learnt o recognise his emotions (such as anger) and control them as best he can.