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Spousal understanding
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EricB22 posted:
I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar1 and PTSD. My wife does not understand the hell I go through on a daily basis. I have tried to explain that there are triggers and she thinks that it is all in my head. (duh)! She has a hard time understanding what triggers are,and why I can't sleep at night. Can someone please give some examples for her to read to help her understand. This is putting a huge strain on our marriage.
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingI have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar1 and PTSD. My wife does not understand the hell I go through on a daily basis. I have tried to explain that there are triggers and she thinks that it is all in my head. (duh)! She has a hard time understanding what triggers are,and why I can't sleep at night. Can someone please give some examples for her to read to help her understand. This is putting a huge strain on our marriage.
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bpcookie responded:
Hello Eric, Everyone is different. Each person has different things that trigger them. So your triggers are unique to you. I would suggest that both of you go to a therapist together and then perhaps she will better understand what your going through.

Good luck to you.
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingHello Eric, Everyone is different. Each person has different things that trigger them. So your triggers are unique to you. I would suggest that both of you go to a therapist together and then perhaps she will better understand what your going through.<br /><br />Good luck to you.
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slik_kitty responded:
bipolar for dummies by candida fink and bipolar disorder survival guide by dr david miklowitz. the first book is an easier read and has a section for family and friends and is more for the lay person. the second one i liked best cuz it goes more in depth.
Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingbipolar for dummies by candida fink and bipolar disorder survival guide by dr david miklowitz. the first book is an easier read and has a section for family and friends and is more for the lay person. the second one i liked best cuz it goes more in depth.
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EricB22 replied to bpcookie's response:
We are seeing a marriage counselor, and she has tried to explain it to my wife. She also see's the same counselor on a one on one basis. She is making headway, but it is slow. TY for your response.
Best Regards,
Eric
Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingWe are seeing a marriage counselor, and she has tried to explain it to my wife. She also see's the same counselor on a one on one basis. She is making headway, but it is slow. TY for your response.<br />Best Regards,<br />Eric
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EricB22 replied to slik_kitty's response:
AHHH-HAAA! Bi-Polar for Dummies. Now why didn't I think of that? Case closed. TY for your response.
Best Regards,
Eric
Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingAHHH-HAAA! Bi-Polar for Dummies. Now why didn't I think of that? Case closed. TY for your response.<br />Best Regards,<br />Eric
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melly2210 responded:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers family education classes to help family members know how to cope and understand the daily challenges we face. You can find your local chapter at http://www.nami.org . They also offer online support groups like this one, but I've found them to be more a complaint group than suggestions on how to cope.

The Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance (DBSA) run support groups that are live. If you're (or your wife) are more comfortable being anonymous, they also offer online chats for caretakers and family members of people suffering from bipolar and depression (and even the PTSD). They meet online the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 8pm EST. You can find them here: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home

One of our members here that has a wife with bipolar also has a support group on WebMD for support. You can find them here:

http://exchanges.webmd.com/bipolar-spouse-and-family-member-support-community

And we're also happy to answer questions here too!

Good luck and I hope all of our suggestions help. I always forget about the Bipolar for Dummies book. LOL

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson
Report This| Share this:Spousal understandingThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers family education classes to help family members know how to cope and understand the daily challenges we face. You can find your local chapter at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nami.org">http://www.nami.org</a> . They also offer online support groups like this one, but I've found them to be more a complaint group than suggestions on how to cope.<br /><br />The Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance (DBSA) run support groups that are live. If you're (or your wife) are more comfortable being anonymous, they also offer online chats for caretakers and family members of people suffering from bipolar and depression (and even the PTSD). They meet online the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 8pm EST. You can find them here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home">http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home</a> <br /><br />One of our members here that has a wife with bipolar also has a support group on WebMD for support. You can find them here:<br /><br /><a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/bipolar-spouse-and-family-member-support-community">http://exchanges.webmd.com/bipolar-spouse-and-family-member-support-community</a> <br /><br />And we're also happy to answer questions here too!<br /><br />Good luck and I hope all of our suggestions help. I always forget about the Bipolar for Dummies book. LOL
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