My wife has finally had enough of my mania and severe irritability. She has asked me to leave the house to figure things out. I was diagnosed in 2005 and was on lamictal and rispidal for 8 years always telling my pdoc that things were fine...they obviously weren't. Recently I have changed my meds to include lithium, I've been seeing a therapist and recently joined a support group. Maybe too little too late but has anyone else had a difficult time coming to terms with the disease and if I'm able to survive the separation without full blown mania, is that considered a step in the right direction? Sorry for dragging on but a lot on my mind....