[RemembertoBreathe]

May 2009 I attempted suicide by overdosing which caused doctors to look at my actual diagnosis. They diagnosed my with Bipolar instead of Depression and on the day I started my new meds my new life began. I have been free of suicidal thoughts for 1 year and 8 months now. I am happily married but I still have my aggression/anger mood swings that I feel guilty about afterwards. I'm hoping talking to others will help me find ways to control or realize what's happening before I start yelling at my husband for no real reason. RTB

[Ryask]

well..i yell at my husband...well actually everyone around me constantly..so..I'm in a similar situation with the anger....no real advice to offer..but..hopefully someone has something...

[blueoctober]

Welcome RemembertoBreathe. I can have a short fuse as well. How I've dealt with it is to exercise regularly because it lifts my mood. I can also normally recognize when I'm getting snappy and if possible will try to avoid people and situations that can be triggers. If I'm off work I'll go to a movie, go to the stables etc.

Journaling and speaking with a therapist has also helped.

[DivorcedWoman]

Congrats! I'm so happy for you that you were properly diagnosed. I tried to commit suicide in 2001 and they diagnosed me with straight depression even though I had a family history of bipolar. Then in 2005 I was diagnosed with bipolar. In 2007, my friends and family were calling my doc and therapist to tell them something was wrong but no changes to my meds were recommended and I was taking my meds and seeing them reguarly, etc. As a result of my manic attack, my husband divorced me and took custody of our child. It has been three and a half years since the big episode and I've learned a lot. If you can get your husband, family and friends to be educated on this disease if they aren't already are that would be helpful. It is an illness and realize that you have to be careful to keep to a schedule, eat right, stay away from alcohol and drugs, limit caffeine and nicotine, get regular sleep and try to keep your stress level regulated as that can cause us to have episodes. Do you have a mania worksheet? If not, develop a plan and give copies to your husband, friends, family, psych and therapist. This is designed to keep you from getting put in the hospital unless medically necessary as there are many steps that can be taken before it is necessary. Find a good support group. I found a Bipolar Support Group through NAMI. Have contacts in your cell phone listed under ICE 1 - Husband, ICE 2 - Friend, ICE 3 - Pscyhiatrist, etc. and put their phone numbers in there so if you get in trouble the info is easy to find. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency and rapid responders, etc. know what it is. Grill your pscyhiatrist and psychologist with what if scenarios and come up with a plan for difficult times. If you have any other questions, let me know. I don't want to be a downer but 90% of bipolar relationships end in divorce. I don't want you to be part of this statistic and will give any help or advice to keep anyone from going through what I went through. Best wishes