A.N.
Hi M.,
First of all, I want to say that you are a very strong, courageous woman. You too, have a lot on your plate, so make sure that you take personal time for you. I was raised in a home where my father was a sometimes medicated Bipolar disordered person. It was not a pleasant experience. Then, when I was 14 years old, I too was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I was quite severe with mood swings about 10 to 12 times a day, and I went for a couple of years trying to find the perfect "coctail" of prescriptions that would iron me out. I was able to find my combination after many trials.
Now fastforward to today 14 years later. I am still Bipolar, but hapily medicated(thank God for Psych meds), completed school and now I am a Registered Nurse, have a wonderful marriage, three beautiful children ages 4, 3, and 10 months. People are shocked when I tell them that I am Bipolar, they don't believe me, they say that I am to "normal."
Remember that Bipolar Disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain, just like a diabetic has a chemical imbalance with insulin. The best advice that I can give to your husband, is to keep it real with his Pyschiatrist, they can't read minds. He needs to be honest about his moodswings with his Dr. Next, he needs to be consistent with taking his medications, and take them as prescribed, even when he feels like he doesn't need them any more. And lastly, everyone has highs and lows in their lives, medications are not designed to completely numb the highs and lows, but rather, help people with Bipolar disorder to cope just as if you did not have this disorder.
I am not sure if there are any all male Bipolar support groups, but if he feels like it would benefit him, research it. I do hope that this helps even a little bit. There is hope, I have been through it all, but with consistent effort to find the right medications, your lives will be a much happier place.
If you have any additional questions or would just like a listening ear who can relate, please call me or email me.
Sincerely,
A. Nichols
Work At Home United
Personal mentor, Mommy of 3
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