Can I Have My Manic Loved One Hospitalized?

Many friends and family members of people with bipolar disorder become frustrated with the fact that they can rarely, if ever, “make” their loved one obtain treatment. This is more of a challenge when the person is manic rather than depressed. In a manic episode, your loved one is more likely to think that you’re [...]

Posted on October 29, 2008 Filed Under Hospitalization, Marriage, Relationships | 9 Comments

Immaculate Conception

From Joe
I saw my wife at the “hospital” yesterday, Tuesday. The doctor was supposed to have started her on lithium. I learned that he was unable to do so, because he needed to run a pregnancy test first. I’ve had a vasectomy, and I am 99.99999% sure that my wife has not had an affair, so [...]

Posted on June 11, 2008 Filed Under Hospitalization, Marriage, Relationships | 7 Comments

Bipolar Disorder: In the Heat of the Battle

By Joe 
Over the past two weeks, I have been dealing with a bipolar disorder crisis in my family. Even though I have learned a great deal about bipolar disorder over the years – from working on the book and our blog, from past experiences, and from extensive research – during these two weeks, I have [...]

Posted on June 9, 2008 Filed Under Hospitalization, Marriage, Relationships | 2 Comments

Considering Relationship Dynamics

By Joe 
In a previous post, “Should I Go or Should I Stay?” I discuss the dilemma that many people face when living with someone who has bipolar disorder.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about relationship dynamics and how these dynamics can trigger confrontations. I’m one of those people, for example, who really needs to please others. I’ll [...]

Posted on April 20, 2008 Filed Under Marriage, Relationships | 40 Comments

Should I Go or Should I Stay?

Jill Ravitz recently posted her bipolar story, which caused me to think about my own situation with my wife and our family. Back in 1999 my wife was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. Within about two years, we were discussing divorce.
Bipolar disorder was tearing us and our family apart. We argued all the time, even [...]

Posted on January 25, 2008 Filed Under Children, Marriage, Relationships | 33 Comments

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