Stress can trigger episodes. I think it takes a while to find the new normal. I say a new normal because with mania and psychosis comes embarrassment, lower self esteem, and not wanting that to happen ever ever again. With diagnosis comes fear that this is forever, "My significant other is better off w/o me because of bipolar", what are my limitations, do I have limitations, How to pay all these new medical bills and things like that.

He's the same person but has to figure out what he is willing/"needs" to do to stay stable. For me it involves therapy, medication, automatic bill pay, simplifying bills and the "stuff" we have and all our little rules. I don't take a lot of medication and don't "feel" a job is "worth" my stability. I refuse to be heavily medicated. There are people here that are not medicated, hold down jobs and seem to live a happy healthy life using their coping mechanisms, except a hiccup every once in a while. Then there are people that are comfortable having a lot of help to stay stable.

I really suggest getting yourself a therapist as well as a family therapist. The family therapist has done a lot of help with things and relationship concerns before they become actual issues. She's also very good at helping us weather and discern issues that are currently to do with mood swings vs. underlying issues. Our individual therapist concentrates on how our family dynamic is currently affecting us and daily life issues.