No one said it would be easy to be a supporter to a husband with bipolar disorder.
It's definitely not as easy as some people think it is.
In fact, it is far from it.
It is a demanding, frustrating, and often overwhelming position to be in.
Sometimes the stress can be so bad it can make you wish you didn't have to do it.
There are many issues involved in supporting a bipolar husband.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings, and I'm sure your husband is no different.
You need to be aware of his changing needs in light of these mood swings.
There may be times when he will want to be close to you; however, at other times he may push you away and not want anything to do with you.
Don't take this personally - it is just a part of his bipolar disorder.
Be sensitive to his needs, and when he wants to be close to you, just be there for him.
And when he pushes you away, just be understanding.
If he wants to be left alone, respect that need, and leave him alone.
Part of supporting a bipolar husband is finding a way to view him as separate from his disorder.
One good way to do this is to not say, "He is bipolar," but instead say, "He has bipolar disorder.
" In this way you are not identifying your husband with bipolar disorder but instead keeping his identity separate from the disorder.
One woman keeps her husband separate from his disorder by keeping a scrapbook of his "normal" periods so that when he is in a bipolar episode, she can look at it and be reminded that he is not his bipolar disorder.
Another woman does it by keeping her favorite photograph of her husband on his best "non-bipolar" day close at hand to remind her that he is separate from his bipolar disorder.
It might feel like your husband is in bipolar episodes all the time, but in reality that just isn't true.
More often than not, your husband will be in between episodes, or in what are called "normal periods.
" During these normal periods, try to do things with your husband that are enjoyable to both of you.
Get him out of the house.
Get together with friends and family.
Go to community events.
Go to the movies or out to your favorite restaurant.
Do the things that you were putting off doing during his episodes.
Although it's true that you are married, part of supporting a bipolar husband is also being a friend to him.
Before you were married, you probably started off as friends as well.
Try to remember that, and be your husband's best friend.
Just be there for him and support him in any way that he needs.
If he just needs to talk, be that best friend for him to talk to, so that there is a sense of trust and he can share openly and honestly whatever is on his mind.
Then just listen, without judging him.
Probably the most important thing about supporting a bipolar husband is being supportive of yourself and meeting your own needs first.
I know that might sound selfish, but believe me, it isn't.
Too many supporters of a spouse with bipolar disorder suffer from burnout just because they didn't take care of themselves first.
If you don't take care of yourself first, how can you take care of your husband? You need to make sure you keep a good balance between your work life and your home life especially.