I think my wife is bipolar. She has almost every symptom I've found in my research. What should I do?

Question

One minute she's extremely happy and silly, then the next she's flying off the deep end. Her way of thinking can be so messed up sometimes about what she "thinks" people are "feeling" about her especially if someone looks in her direction. She's always complaining about aches in her chest, arms or legs, but the doctors say nothing is wrong with her. Sometimes she'll go days with only 2 or 3 hours of sleep. She'll smell things that nobody else smells. (we'll just agree with her so she won't freak out). It just goes on and on. She herself admits that she may have it because a few other people in her family have it too. I want to help her, but nothing I do or say seems to be right. I love her very much, but sometimes I just want to take the kids and just let her be. How can I get her help?

Answer 1

its not necessarily be a medical condition may be you are diagnosing wrong perhaps it better to talk to a professional

Answer 2

She needs to see a psychologist to get an accurate diagnosis. Next step, a doctor or psychiatrist (a medical doc with a lil psychology) for drugs - if she needs them.

Answer 3

are you sure she's not on meth my friend acted like that and it was drugs.

Answer 4

I have bipolor myself and she does sound like a classic case, Im also a psychology major. Don't ever tell her she's crazy, I hated that. Talk to her calmly and see if she is willing to get tested. The are several treatment options including behavior modification classes. I took the classes 5 yrs ago and am much better at tracking my cycle and controling my emotions. Good luck. Don't leave her, she needs you!! Support her the best you can and hold her when she gets upset.  

Answer 5

First thing is to get her in to see a Pyschiatrist and get on some meds to help stabilize her moods. BiPolar left untreated can ruin a marriage and she can get herself into trouble and start addictions.

Answer 6

Be careful to diagnose anyone- that should be left to a professional who has expertise and knowledge. It's good you are noticing her behaviors and even better that you want to help her.

I would encourage you to sit down with her and voice your concern. If you feel she won't listen or hear you out, write her a letter. Be specific about the behaviors you are concerned about and also be specific about how they are affecting you, the marriage, and your children.

You can do a little research about various doctors who can evaluate her and you can share this knowledge with her. Make sure to express this out of complete love and not (You are bipolar! you're crazy!) because that will not help the situation.

It's very commendable that you want to stick around and help her, many people leave because they either don't understand or don't want to try and help the other person through their struggles.  

Answer 7

Tell her this. Print out some of the diagnostic criteria you've found and go over it with her. Be concerned rather than judgmental. Don't just take your kids and leave because your wife has a mental illness. If you can't handle it, you can leave, but it doesn't sound like you're even seriously confronting her about it. Why are you agreeing to her reality to avoid conflict (smelling things, etc.) if you're concerned about her? See what you can do to get her to a therapist. Maybe even go with her, both of you together. You could disguise it as marriage counseling at first if you want. She needs help, not the heartache of being left alone with her problems.

Answer 8

It sounds like she is. you saying that nothing you do or say seems right; yea, its extremely hard to argue much less win an argument with someone who is bipolar. you cant really convince them anything is wrong, or anything about them is bad. its going to be hard, but try to talk her into going to a doctor, maybe get help from friends. she could get put on some medicine, and it will get alot better. i have schizo-affective disorder the bipolar type, and i know how i get. so im sorry you have to go through the things you do with her, but justd know she doesnt mean it, and try to get some help

Answer 9

if you can talk to her about it, it would be good

tell her to make sure she gets more sleep

it will help a lot, tell her you love her and need her

to listen to you so you can help

read about bipolar on curezone.com and read their

success stories

good luck