Hello Recovery Friends, Seekers, and Welcome New Visitors,

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For those of you who have read my new friend “Nectar Madness” at http://nectarmadness.com   3 part series of “Bipolar Valentine,” here on my blog, I wanted to share part 3 of her series about life with Bipolar. It is a wonderful and thought-provoking series for those of us who suffer, and for those who want a little insight into how we face daily living challenges, and the *Stigma* we face,…..A LOT.
She has written it in a kind of sexy way. Lets face it, just because we may have mental or emotional disorders, we are still “Human Beings” who have feeling, and we deserve LOVE TOO!
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Part 3 really seemed to fit and hit home for me. My husband and I have been together for 26 1/2 years, and this September 29th we will “CELEBRATE” our 25th wedding anniversary!! And OMG have we been through a lot. We have learned with me having undiagnosed Bipolar, with manic depression, Panic with Agoraphobia, OCD, and AADD, it has at times put a strain on our marriage. Not to mention my what I put him through with my Compulsive Gambling Addiction that I’ve been in recovery as well for 7 years.
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But through all those “Trials & Tribulations,” we have loved each other even Harder, and learned that “TOGETHER” we can weather ANY STORM!! Yes, I know I’m a very Blessed Woman to have found such a MAN!!! I tell him that EVERYDAY!…..So here is part 3:
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Bipolar Valentine Part 3: In Sickness and Health, Mania and Depression….

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I love you. I hate you. I want you. Don’t touch me. Marriage and bipolar. Is it a toxic combination? According to NAMI, statistically 90% of marriages with at least one bipolar spouse will end in divorce. That is a sobering number. You can’t deny that it’s a bit discouraging to those not yet married, and scary for those of us who are. So before we go any further, let’s ask- is there even a point? Absolutely.
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It is possible for people with bipolar disorder to endure successful long-term romantic relationships, and even marriage. There are many factors involved because every individual and every relationship is different. What works for one couple may not work for another, and vice versa.
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Factors to consider:
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One factor to consider is the time of diagnosis. While the symptoms are usually present for a period of time, we all know getting that official diagnosis makes a difference. It provides an answer and treatment options, as well as a name for what is going on. (I don’t like the term “label”). For several couples, the diagnosis comes years into their marriage. They receive the news together and unless they’ve already suspected BP, it is brand new information. What usually happens in these cases is a sense of relief, followed by frustration, and a new sense of responsibility. Changes must be made in the everyday routine.
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Other couples have it a little bit differently when the person was diagnosed prior to their union. In this instance, the non-bipolar partner entered the relationship knowing something was unique about it. In my last segment, Bipolar Valentine Part 2: Adventures in Dating, I discussed how to tell your new partner about your BP diagnosis, and about my own experience with my wife. Both types of couples face challenges.
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“Following a diagnosis, the first and most dominant response from a spouse usually is sympathy, says David A. Karp, professor of sociology at Boston College and author of The Burden of Sympathy: How Families Cope with Mental Illness (Oxford University Press, 2002). “But further down the road, a spouse may experience emotions they don’t think they should be having—anger, frustration, and even hate.”
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Indeed, caring for someone who has a mental illness can be more draining than caring for someone with cancer, says Dr. Karp. When a spouse does something for a mate with a physical illness, they are usually met with gratitude. People who have bipolar disorder, however, often deny the diagnosis, are unwilling to comply with medication, and—worst of all— treat one’s spouse like the enemy.”
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Another factor to consider is if there are any children in the picture. Since bipolar disorder has ups and downs that can be unpredictable or inconsistent, it is especially vital to double up the top priorities to both the bipolar spouse’s needs as well as the children’s needs. Kids should never feel like the mood swings are their fault. And in reality, sometimes the hustle and bustle around the house is what triggers an episode. It is important to have a strong partnership with your spouse when you are not functioning at your best so the kiddos will have stability.
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How can we make it for the long haul?
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I give my wife a splintering headache every single time I go hypomanic or full-blown manic. I lie about my meds. I drink. I stay out all night. I argue with her. I hate sleep. I become very self-involved. And I no doubt make her feel like shit. When I get depressed, she can’t get me out of bed. I ignore my responsibilities and don’t even care. I know she knows when my patterns will start. I know she goes through hell. But…we make it. We get through it and carry on. Have we come close to ending it all? Oh hell yeah we have. But chose to work really hard instead. Here are a few tips that really work.
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“I swear by education. Read about bipolar disorder and have your spouse do the same.” One book I recommend is Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, by Julie Fast.
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Finding the right doctor, usually a psychiatrist, is imperative. Make sure your partner joins you so he/she can become acquainted with your doctor in case of any future emergencies. A good doctor is someone who listens to you, addresses your concerns, and explains the recommended course of treatment. Both of you having a good relationship with your doctor is important for your relationship with your spouse.
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Other factors in your treatment include the right med cocktail, and any support groups you join. It is mandatory to get your partner on board with all of it. This is one thing that has held my marriage together these last 7 years. My wife is my medication manager and during my rough times, she sorts and distributes it for me. Even when I’m able to administer it to myself, she is my daily reminder of when I’m supposed to take it. Without her, I know I’d forget or choose to not take my pills. Without the pills, I’d be a hot freaking mess! She also encourages me to attend my bi-weekly support group.
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One of the absolute most important things in a bipolar marriage is having rules. Yes, rules suck. But in this case, rules are the glue holding the package together. Establish grounds for when to call the doctor, to disclose suicidal thoughts, to have your partner notify you of red flags, when to go to the hospital, to communicate your triggers, and a commonly broken rule- to always take your medication! In my house, my wife has given me the medication ultimatum that if I refuse to take it, she will pack up herself and our son, and go stay somewhere else. That thought kills me. So I stay motivated to comply.
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My last biggie is communication. More specifically, speaking the language of bipolar. Make it clear what “highs” and “lows” are and what things you might verbalize differently in each of these states. This way there is no cause for alarm if you are transitioning moods.
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Enough of the technical stuff, where’s the love?
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I can’t say this enough do not make your bipolar the center of your relationship! For any marriage, with or without mental illness, it is important to nurture the relationship in order for it to grow. It’s just like any living thing. If you stop feeding it, it wilts and dies. The bipolar is just a part of it. Your relationship consists of many other parts. Give these a try!
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Re-examine your core values and what brought you two together in the first place.
Carve out some time in your busy lives for a date night.
Have passionate sex.
Laugh together.
Go on a road trip.
Renew your vows
Say “I love you” often.
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If you haven’t already, check out the first two parts of this series, Bipolar Valentine Part 1: Is It Love or Just Bipolar?  and Bipolar Valentine Part 2: Adventures in Dating.
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*I want to Thank “Nectar Madness” for letting me share all 3 parts with my readers. So for those of you who have Bipolar, I feel it really is important to have “Family & Spouse Support”! It truly makes a difference. I say this because my hubby and I experienced a loss of his older sister to “intentional prescription overdose/Suicide” because she didn’t have the support of her husband. He didn’t believe in, or want her to take “Bipolar Meds” to help her. He never was a very supportive husband to her for years, and last year she took all her Bipolar meds at once and passed of an intentional overdose. I don’t mean to share something so extreme, but it really makes a BIG difference to the person, like myself who suffer, for people not to treat US like were NOT NORMAL….
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God Bless All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon