Hello All,
I have just been diagnosed with BP II and have been posting and searching this board. I am searching for answers… searching for hope that with medications I can be a “normal” person, a happy person, a friendly person. That the fits of rage inside me will die away and I will be able to handle life’s up and downs in moderation instead of either from a depressed or manic POV.

I have a few questions that I need answers to concerning my diagnoses of Stage II Bipolar.

Background. One of the things I have had an issue with all my adult life concerns sex / love. I have been married 3 times and have had a couple of long term relationships. Every time I become involved in a relationship everything is fine for a while. Then something happens during the relationship where I get urges and needs to have contact with other women. Whether it is affairs, phone communication and sex, or cyber sex and cyber relationships. Some of the later have moved real time. Most never do. This is a huge issue for me and my current wife who is thinking of divorcing me. I want to be faithful to my spouse and I try. God knows I try, but these urges come over me and I can't control them. My questions are these:

1) Are these urges/needs part of my condition?
2) If they are will medication remove them and give me my impulse control back?
3) Again, If they are Why is it when I know right from wrong I can't control them?
4) How do I explain to my wife that while I love her with all my heart I can’t stop doing the things that I know hurt her so much.
5) How do I stop this roller coaster? Can it be stopped with meds?

I’ve started taking Xanax and Symbyax to start, the Xanax the Dr said was just to slow me down and help me get some sleep and to eat. Although I kind of enjoy the not eating part right now. I’m losing a lot of weight that I’ve wanted to lose for years.
Thank you for any answers you can give. I appreciate your help.