gdp's Comments

The Bipolar Spouse : 5 Popular Myths About Bipolar Disorder

Mon, 17 May 2010 16:50:28 +0000

Thank you, Gemma!

The Bipolar Spouse : Why Do Those With Bipolar Disorder Turn on Their Loved Ones?

Mon, 17 May 2010 14:44:16 +0000

Thank you, Mike!

The Bipolar Spouse : Interview with Bipolar Disorder

Sun, 16 May 2010 01:51:22 +0000

Thank you, Anna...it's feedback like this that lets me know I'm doing the right thing by not only supporting my wife in the ways that I do, but also by reaching out to others to let people know that it IS possible to have a loving, successful marriage/relationship even if bipolar disorder is present. Thank you and I wish you all the best and luck.

The Bipolar Spouse : Why Do Those With Bipolar Disorder Turn on Their Loved Ones?

Thu, 13 May 2010 18:56:24 +0000

Thank you for posting, Michael. Your concerns are both valid and common within a Bipolar Relationship. It can indeed by difficult to be on the receiving end of an episode driven outburst, or otherwise, but as a supporter, please try to keep in mind that your loved one is going through a lot, and although you're being hit with the shrapnel, in most cases, this is a way for our loved ones to deal with the internal noise and pain that they are dealing with. Try to learn about your fiance's triggers and what situations may indeed fire them. Although you may not be able to avoid them, you can at least learn the patterns and prepare yourself better. For my children, I am completely open and honest with them. My wife supports this and even works with them to help them understand as well and it can really help bind the family together even more when we discuss these things. Giving in may be a defense mechanism, for yourself...I've been there myself and to this day, there are times where I still just give in as to move forward if I feel that the fight is not worth picking. However, this may be essentially enabling your fiance to manipulate you if you really don't agree with something and you may also be weakening your own mental foundation as well. Set boundaries and keep them in place even if it feels difficult in the beginning. Take care and thanks again for commenting. -Rich

The Bipolar Spouse : Bipolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Wed, 12 May 2010 18:32:12 +0000

Thanks for commenting, hidden trauma can be very detrimental as more times than not, it sneaks up and hits you when you last expect it.

The Bipolar Spouse : Interview with Bipolar Disorder

Tue, 11 May 2010 18:05:58 +0000

Anna, the hope is to remind yourself and truly believe that YOU are not the source of the evil. You are also not the illness, the illness is a part of you, but don't let it define who you really are.

The Bipolar Spouse : Facing Our Darkest Hour

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:23:20 +0000

Thank you for commenting, Chloe.

The Bipolar Spouse : The Things We Don't Talk About

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 01:26:36 +0000

Hi Julia. I'm assuming (and forgive me if I'm incorrect) that you mean the meds that he is taking is affecting his libido? If yes, we have been there and it can indeed affect self-esteem and anxiety. As important as the physical connection can be in the relationship, it is critical during such challenges that the emotional aspect is enhanced and it will eventually balance out. My pair 'o' pennies, anyway. Thanks for posting, Julia!

The Bipolar Spouse : The Things We Don't Talk About

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:21:05 +0000

Thank you so much for posting and for the kind words, they are truly appreciated and I do wish you and your family all the best.

The Bipolar Spouse : The Things We Don't Talk About

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:20:04 +0000

Great to hear that things have turned around, Nick! Thanks again for sharing.

The Bipolar Spouse : Stay Connected with TheBipolarSpouse.com

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:47:14 +0000

Glad to have you on board!

The Bipolar Spouse : Being There When Nobody Else Is

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:14:33 +0000

Hi, desperate and thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. You situation is indeed challenging and the first hint of advice I would consider is that your boyfriend consider seeking help with a psychiatrist to obtain proper diagnosis. Regardless of that, if the two of you are indeed still willing to work on the relationship, it may not be a bad idea to see a therapist together if that is an option. Some of the physical encounters concern me especially since there is a young child involved. In this case, I would also suggest that you keep the safety of the little one as the main priority over the relationship between you and your boyfriend. Keep talking with your therapist and don't hold back as you will only cheat yourself on treatment. The break may be a good thing while you work through your own thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, if he is not willing to "fix" what is broken between the two of you, you simply cannot run the relationship from both ends all by yourself. Meaning, if he is willing to end it without a fight, then you may need to let go as well and take care of your child and yourself. Thanks again for posting and I wish you all the best. -Rich

The Bipolar Spouse : The Things We Don't Talk About

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:44:18 +0000

Thanks for posting, Julia. We also deal with the rapid-cycling which is indeed a new level of difficulty. Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

The Bipolar Spouse : The Things We Don't Talk About

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:43:12 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing this, Anna. I can only imagine how difficult this was for you.

The Bipolar Spouse : A Quick Primer on Bipolar Disorder

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:44:48 +0000

Thank you for the resources, Nick. Much appreciated.

The Bipolar Spouse : A Quick Primer on Bipolar Disorder

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:27:24 +0000

Hi Nick, thanks for posting! I had written an article on Hypersexuality somewhere on here and can 100% agree that it is indeed common. We have experienced it ourselves in our marriage, but as far as new "fetishes" popping up during a manic episode, that is not something have experienced in my situation. -Rich

The Bipolar Spouse : A Quick Primer on Bipolar Disorder

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:24:42 +0000

Hi James, I haven't heard of this particular challenge coming up before, but I must remind that I'm also not a licensed therapist or in the field of psychology. I personally have not run into a new interest that goes away once stability hits however, so I would truly suggest some outside assistance with a therapist. Take care and hang in there! -Rich

Rich Wallace : Preventing Blog Value Depreciation

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:31:07 +0000

Thanks, Mike! I couldn't agree more, I will read over a blog and learn as much as possible before I make the final decision to buy or sign-up.

Rich Wallace : Increasing Your Blog's Conversion Rates

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:48:59 +0000

Thanks, Alex!

The Bipolar Spouse : Facing Our Darkest Hour

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:24:06 +0000

You're welcome, Ronald. It's good to know that she agrees with the evaluation, that's a positive step as long as she is willing to keep an open mind on the topic. Unfortunately, yes...she may be able to fool a professional since the eval may only be about an hour long and that's just not enough time to go over enough history AND, (not to degrade), it depends on how honest she is willing to be with the therapist. The friends can indeed be against you, but that can be a matter of loyalty or she has mastered the ability to manipulate her friends as well. My recent discussion with a psychiatrist concluded with him stating that, "Bipolar revolves around a world of drama." which can be painful to hear, but it MUST be accepted from a supporter's perspective. I do wish you all the best Ronald and also for your wife's sake as although living with such a disorder is extremely difficult, it's much more difficult to live with it and deny its existence.