How The Bipolar Spouse Copes

By Laura Collins


Being bipolar is not much fun. Many people have a tough time with this, but a lot of people are able to lead successful lives. There are people who are happily married with children. In saying this, the bipolar spouse is someone who struggles a lot of the time because they feel that they have to be supportive and they are not doing enough for their partner.

It can be very difficult for the spouse when someone has just been diagnosed because they will be confused by this change in behavior. Sometimes the person will be excited and often manic and the next day, they will be depressed and withdrawn. The spouse will take a lot of strain and feel that it is too much for them. It can lead to a breakup in many cases.

Research tells one that it is very possible to have a healthy relationship with a spouse that is bipolar. However, it is also something that you have to work on. It is not a piece of cake and one has to realize this from the start. This especially applies to the family where there are children in the home. They will have feelings of their own that become confusing, and they need to deal with this.

In order to live a successful marriage, both husband and wife will need counseling. They need to know how to work through the tough times. There are experienced counselors that can help with this. They are specialized in this area. They often work practically by helping the couple come up with a schedule or a routine. However, one also needs to know what to do during the tough times.

In saying this, it is important that the spouse does not become a people pleaser. They simply can't be a nurse or a doctor or a psychologist. They still need to take the role of the partner and the person with bipolar needs to realize and respect this as well. They will need their space from time to time, otherwise they are going to have a hard time coping in the situation.

There are different treatments available, and the spouse needs to make sure that the person with bipolar is getting all the help that they need. This may come in the form of psychologists or psychiatrists. They may need medication. The spouse is the person who can keep an eye on things, making sure that the treatment plan is going well and weather they need to make changes.

This support comes in the form of encouragement and understanding as well as compassion. Listening to their problems is important, but the marriage should not be based on this. A therapist is necessary for issues like this. Communication is very important.

It is especially important to confront these issues when there are children involved, because they may be feeling the tension. Children will pick up on these feelings in the home. They will be very confused and they will also feel guilty, thinking that this is all their fault.




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