By: Elizabeth Atlas

Elizabeth Atlas — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:36:40 +0000

Dianna, your husband was very lucky to have such a supportive and encouraging wife. You obviously were in sync with his “real” personality, as well as developed accurate radar for when he was about to endure a bipolar episode. For the wife of a bipolar husband the roller coaster life–even when you sort of understand it–is unpredictable and sad. There will be an extra bright star in heaven with your name on it for your dedication to your husband and to your marriage, despite all the odds! Thank you for sharing your story.

By: Dianna

Dianna — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:10:36 +0000

I was married for 35 years and of that time my late husband had bi polar for 33 years, diagnosed. I purchased your book last year after he passed away to confirm to myself personally that I had not imagined all the dramas over the years. Many of our friends are still not aware of the struggles we both faced. He was a good man but slowly the illness was destroying the person I had married. He even said to me that he couldn’t take another 20 years of this himself. He never took his life but I was always concerned that he could have been driven to it. We raised two children who loved their father. I am still trying to heal from the shock and trauma of suddenly lossing your life partner but to be honest, I am also releaved not to have that heavy load of responsibility as a spouse carer. There was no support. They say,” you are strong” but we have feelings too! The dynamics in the relationship was constantly changing. I kepted a diary over the years to prove to myself and to my spouse that it was real these bipolar changes. It didn’t happen over night but later he relied on me for support like when it was time to start getting stronger medication. He could feel that change coming over himself and would tell me but a day or two later he had morphed into someone else. My man would be “gone” for a few months. I often joked that I was married to a few personalities. Some times I lived with bipolar “George” and at other times, the normal man I had married. Perhaps there was also another one when he was in the depressed cycle. Who knows! One thing I do know for sure, is that, all you spouses living out there in the real world living each day handling that challenging caring role -You should be highly commended for showing such courage, determination and great love to your spouses. I realized that I had helped my husband live a successful life. He touched so many peoples lives in his community and was loved and respected. I had helped him paint the canvas of his life. All the struggles had been etched on the canvas of life. We had painted a master piece together. Keep up the good work, get all the help you can for yourself. Remember you are so important too. Don’t forget that. Be proud of yourself and your family. God bless you all.

Comments on: 14 Questions To Ask Your Future Bipolar Husband’s Psychiatrist-Part 1

By: Elizabeth Atlas

By: Dianna