Is my husband bipolar?

Question

He has a tendency to not sleep very well at all, spends hours looking at p**n or playing games on line, he has a bad temper, can be irrational, easily irritated, he has been in trouble for drinking and blacking out and causing a few fights, has a tendency to abuse medication or alcohol, he spends his money very quickly, gambles or drinks it away. He is on anti depressants, sleeping pills. He was off of them for a week and he got really drunk and beat me really bad for the 1st time. He says he wants to change but seems to be having trouble keeping away from drinking and thank god he is back on his meds. He doesn't want to have s*x, he sleeps a lot we do work out a lot and well his work is stressful he is a Marine. He is a great man loves my 3 kids like his own. I love him and we started to see a marriage counselor. But are the meds he is taking right for him? Should he be check fro bipolar? Will this affect him in the Marines do they kick people out for it? He never yelled or hit me in front of the kids they weren't home. Also he only hit me once he felt terrible for it and he did take me to the ER. I know it was part of the alcohol abuse and not being on his meds plus a very stressful week for both.

Answer 1

His diagnosis doesn't matter. His behavior does. The important thing isn't what meds are ideal, but that he put you in the ER. That isn't the alcohol's fault; it's his fault.

What would you advise a friend to do if she were posting the same question?  How about your daughter?

Answer 2

sounds like you have battered womans syndrome, stable men dont beat woman ever get out  

Answer 3

Definitely get him checked out. He needs some help before things get worse. Good luck

Answer 4

OK if he is on Antidepressants he shouldn't be drinking. Its really bad for your body. Who perscribed him the antidepressants? He needs a Physicist. They can help him determine which medication is best for him.

If he really is bipolar, its going to be a very long, hard road ahead of him. I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was 13. I'm 21 now and I have finally become stable. Its take a lot of trial and error with different meds and doctors.

I wish the best of luck to you both.

Answer 5

You and your husband should seek professional help.  Not just a marriage counselor but a psychiatrist who can answer these questions.  

I wish you well.

Answer 6

Husband is an alcoholic he needs AA and he needs to do the program.  He is addicted to p**n as well.  He has a very addictive personality.  He needs a 12 step program.  He hit you once and put you in the hospital he will do it again.  You should be worried about you and your kids.  You say he is a great man that loves your children however p**n + alcohol + hitting you putting you into the hospital + blacking out = not a very good husband or role model.  Wake up and smell the coffee you are in denile and also a co-dependant.  You need to seek help as well.  I know this is harsh but it is reality.  Please get out and get help.

Answer 7

i am so glad that after he beat you in a drugged and alcohoic haze that he then drove ( !!!)  you to the ER.

what a gentleman.  

lucky you!!  

really, people, no one can be this stupid.  

Answer 8

That doesn't sound like someone that is bipolar... that sounds like someone with some dangerous addictions... I am married to a man that is bi-polar and he doesn't act like that at all... I can tell when my husband is in his manic state because he will stay up for days with out and sleep and start a bunch of really big projects... and when he is in his depressive state he sleeps a lot and sometimes gets suicidal (thankfully it doesn't happen very often and he knows when he is in that state and goes to get professional help)  

Answer 9

Has he seen war? sounds like ptsd and just an abusive man period. yes he could be kicked out the marines. this is a no no. get him help or leave for your own safety now. thre are org that can help. you

http://www.ncdsv.org/ncd_militaryrespons...

get help now before it is to late.  

Answer 10

Who gives a c**p if he is bipolar.  What about you.  Once hit shame on him.  Twice hit shame on you.  Get out and do it know before you die.  Because that it what will happen if you continue with this relationship.

Answer 11

The ONLY person who can accurately diagnose him is a licensed Phychiatrist - no other doctor can do this.  He may be bi-polar, but it sounds more like he has several other major problems going on. Bi-polar is very hard to diagnose, but I can tell you it is related MAJOR mood swings - ie: days or weeks feeling up, energentic, happy, cannot sleep, then SUDDENLY without warning, he turns down, sleepy, irratible, depressed, etc.  

Your husband is much more dangerous and unpredictable than any bi-polar person I have ever known or care to ever know.  

  

Answer 12

who care what he is!!! LEAVE!!!! My husband is also a MARINE and yes their job is stressful but all that is a BIG LAME *** EXCUSE!!!!! He's immature and selfish and is giving good husband and the MARINES a bad name!!!!

Answer 13

I can see why you decided to marry him:

- ignores you

- bad temper

- irrational

- irritable

- aggressive

- alcoholic

- drug addict

- wastes money

- gambles

- violent

Once you realized all that, you must have thought, "Omigosh!  I've got to marry this guy!"

Answer 14

This does not sound like bipolar to me.  My aunt and grandmother are both bipolar and this does not sound like anything they do.  You never really know what to expect sometimes when you are around them, even though they are both on medications.  They have used to have severe mood swings, like from happy to sad, up to down,  If your husband is a Marine, and has been deployed, he could have PTSD., (post traumatic stress syndrome)  Those symptoms sound just like my DAD.  He is a Viet Nam vet.   Tell your husband to see a doctor on base, and they will refer him to a psychiatrist  or psychologist.  There is a treatment for PTSD, and your husband has classic symptoms.  He can also get disability for it.  My dad is 100% due to it.  He has a really severe case of it.   Dad never abused any of us, even though he had a tough time of it for many years, before he would even admit that he had a problem.  This too is very typical of those that have PTSD.  Dad take some medications now, and sees his doctors every 6 months.  Your husband needs your understanding and support.  These other answers don't know jack about PTSD.  Our whole family has gone to group sessions to help my dad.  It is not just HIS problem.  We love him and wanted him to get better, and he really is much better.  Leaving him will only compound his troubles and mental health.  By the way, you mentioned that your husband is taking antidepressants, this can cause sexual problems...

Answer 15

Bipolar disorder is a DISEASE and therefore is NOT your husband's fault - if he indeed IS bipolar.  Obviously some of the posters to this question have never loved someone who is bipolar.  It takes a special person to cope with it.  My husband was diagnosed last summer.  He too went on spending sprees (hundreds of dollars on booze for him and his friends) which is a "symptom" of bipolar - it's a feeling that some of them get that they are something they are really not (i.e. "ten feet tall and bulletproof")  He also met women and pretty much pretended to be someone he wasn't (single, no kids, rich).  I was always on eggshells around him too so as not to make him fly off the handle for no reason.  But not all bipolar people act the same way - every case is different.  To me, it sounds as though your hubby could definitely be bipolar.  The best thing to do is to demand he see a psychiatrist.  My husband is on Lithium and Geodon and after a year of "tweaking" his medication(s) we seem to have found a good balance.  I won't say it's easy, but it will get so much better.  My husband is a new man.  He, of course, regrets his behavior in the past and some of it still hurts me to this day.  But I have to keep telling myself that it wasn't the REAL him.  It was a sick version of him.  If you love him (and more importantly, your kids love him) then HELP him!  Good luck to all of you!  Oh, and my husband never slept either - tossed and turned all night.  They tend to get racing thoughts all the time.  Like an overtired toddler who cannot calm themselves down.

Answer 16

I don't know if he is bipolar, I'm not qualified to diagnose anyone. However seems his issues are gambling, drinking, money, temper, etc.

He should see his doctor immediately and maybe a therapist.  

Answer 17

whether he is bipolar or not, he has a lot of issues. Don't make up excuses for him hitting you. It doesn't matter how "terrible" he felt. You need to get your children out of this destructive household.