Hi there,
Welcome to the forum. You are under stress, which is a trigger, some stress is good for all of us, under too much can derail us bipolars, seeking professional help is NOT a sign of weakness, taking our medications is NOT a sign of weakness. By doing these things is a sign we accept and take responsibilities. I was on Lithobid, blood tests aren't that bad, I got to going every 3 months, etc.
My oldest brother was DXed with bipolar-I back in the early 60's, he's been on Lithium for over 30 years, takes daily maintainence (sp?) 3 times a day, is at a point his doc has his bloodwork done only once a year, so that is a sign to me that once a balance has been made, over time the blood tests are done further apart.
I urge you to see a pdoc and start some treatment plan, I know by denying ourselves of help, we just foul things up for ourselves and loved ones, and today that can be avoided.
Life is too short to subject yourself to needless suffering.
I like my brother, take meds., have accepted the fact it will be for life (hey, diabetics need insulin) and if that is what we need to do to have stability, it is worth it.
Your wife thinks you may have ADD? I have been Dxed with Bipolar-II (mild) and ADD (mild), people can have more than one disorder, and so many are very treatable, providing the patient works with their pdoc and remains compliant.
I don't know if I am making any sense here.
Just want you to know, that I am not "green" to bipolar, in fact it's in my genes, had ancestors with it before anyone knew about this stuff. It is nothing one should ever be ashamed of. The only shame there is that people are afraid to get treatment, therapy and/or meds. that really can help them, and then unecessarily suffer from it.
I urge anyone, don't give up on treatment, stay committed to a program, follow it, be honest to yourself and pdoc, last, never deny yourself from help.
Often when this disorder is untreated and one is approaching mania or in an episode, we can feel terrific, even feeling we can stop meds, don't need them, but we know this is not true down the road.
Please anyone reading this, don't play pdoc with yourself, follow treatment, and always feel free to question your pdoc when you feel uncertain about things.
I wish you lots of luck, strength, determination, hope, with this. Feel free to come to the forum(s) anytime

Sincerely,

DE

PS
I see someone here has told you, you do not have to use just lithium, there are several good alternative, mood stabilizers today. Talk that over too, with your pdoc. he or she will tell you what options you have and start you on a new one. Don't give up, things will work out, just may take a little time.