Supporting a Bipolar Spouse

Today, 5.7 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from bipolar disorder. Women seem to be affected by this mental disease more than men. In most cases, people who have bipolar have inherited it from a family member. Supporting a spouse with bipolar disorder is challenging. You cannot find many literatures on how to be a supportive spouse, because each bipolar person symptoms differ from each other.

The first thing to support a spouse with bipolar is to encourage him/her to take the medications regularly. There are times that your spouse might feel better and do not see the need to take anything. Every time those mood swings strike, it can remind you of how important the medications are for them.

The second thing is to be compassionate and patient. Being in a relationship where a spouse is bipolar takes a lot of commitment. You got to learn how to be forgiving, loving and caring. There is nothing that love cannot conquer. There are days you have to overcome stormy waters, but remind yourself of the person that is inside your spouse, and try to overlook the mood swings moments.

Give your spouse a lot of attention. Sometimes, a bipolar spouse can act like a crying baby begging for attention and respect. Do not ignore him/her. Do not make your spouse feel he/she is not important in your life as they used to be because of the disability. Let go of little things and do not argue. This can cause stress and maybe trauma (if the argument is really heated), which makes the bipolar symptoms worse. Supporting a bipolar spouse can be extremely stressful and difficult, but just remember to take it one day at a time.