i'm 68, hubby is 67 and we'll be celebrating 29 yrs. marriage (2nd marriage for both) in feb. went thru typical 2nd marriage issues early on with young daughter and 2 step-kids but we got into couples and individual therapy and over the years most of those issues resolved. i think a key component is to learn everything about your illness and what your particular triggers are and then educate hubby. of course taking meds. regularly is a must but over time we've managed the manias and insomnia (i don't have depression) and i always communicate with him telling him where i'm `at' with my illness…sometimes i need to isolate, not have too much stimulation (t.v., music, etc.) and so far our marriage is strong and healthier than most other couples' marriages where there isn't a mental illness component. this of course is my own personal experience and i've brought a lot of humor, sarcasm, wit, insight, perception into the marriage which have been a plus, and he is the stable, grounded person who has the patience of a saint…and i always tell him how lucky i am to have him in my life and how i appreciate him. those are things any couple should be doing and saying to each other, even without adding mental illness to the marriage.