My husband of 15 years was diagnosed as Bipolar around 13 years ago. He took medicine for around nine months but didn't like the way it made him feel, so he stopped taking it. He doesn't do drugs ( won't even take an aspirin unless he's dying) and may have a beer every 2 to 3 weeks, but never more than 2. Lately he has been increasing irratible and irrational. Over the years I have learned to deal with his manic and depressive states. If he is in a depressive state, I have to just let him have his way and discuss the problem as he enters his manic phase. I have even started keeping a journal of thing to talk to him about on his "upswing". Lately though, his depressive phases are getting more volatile, he blames me for things that we don't have control over (ie, work stress, gas prices and unforeseen expenses) and in his manic phases he has increased his spending (bought a new truck without even talking to me about it) and usually doesn't sleep. I love my husband, but am losing the ability to deal with him. He is jealous of my friends and family, to the point that I have stopped seeing most of them and gives me the cold shoulder frequently when I do something he doesn't approve of ( having dinner with my best friend of 20 years). I have begged him to go to Dr or talk to a therapist but he has made it clear that he is not sick and I only want him to be "medicated". We have a teenage daughter and she is also showing signs of Bipolar. Any advice would be welcome (going on medication is NOT an option, so if that's your advice, don't bother commenting). I am at my wits end. Even if I leave him, my daughter is going through the same thing. I feel like crying all the time! there has to be
something I can try!!!!