How to deal with manic anger?

Question

I was diagnosed bipolar in March. I take my medication regularly and I've usually got a pretty good handle on it except when I get upset. I lose all rationality and the ability to reason. :/ It's like temporary psychosis. My boyfriend is having a hard time understanding this - I try to explain the best I can, but he thinks I should have better control of my emotions. Is there a way I can make him understand better or is he right that I should be able to control it more?

I'm already on anti-psychotics.

Answer 1

don't laugh at this, i'm dead serious.  i have battled anger issues my whole life and i'm middle aged now.  i take meds for bipolar and add and it helped some but not enough.  would you believe i started watching nanny 911 or shows like it?  i relate the unruley kids as the parents trigger and nanny shows the parents how to handle the trigger.  nanny teaches how to handle things when your at your wits end.   i know it sounds crazy but it made a huge difference in me.  to this day, i try and watch it at least once a week as a booster.    Keep me posted if it works for you like it did me!!!!

Answer 2

I would send him a link to NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness).  It is a group for friends and family members of the mentally ill.  They have resources that can help him to understand what you are going through.

Answer 3

If you can't help it you should be in therapy also. If it really is as bad as you described it, I don't think it's safe for your boyfriend to be with you. You might hurt him or get hurt yourself in his self defense.