I was diagnosed with BPII in May last year and my husband was with me in the consulting room listening about the diagnosis. It was like he wasn't "with me" at all. For several months afterwards it was like we were just living, but separate.

I think it all came crashing down on him back then, what with us having an autistic child to cope with as well. But, hey we have been married for 17 years and we have two children and we have stuck through some terrible times and really good times. Divorce rates with children with special needs is VERY high, so it goes to show that keeping together CAN be done, even with bipolar! There is hope.