[knowswatcher]

My husband was diagnosed as having Bipolar II ... I'm glad he has a diagnosis and plan for treatment after several years of not knowing what was wrong.

But now, I'm not sure what I should do. I'm supportive in his appointments and getting medicine, but is there anything else I can do to help him?

[~Christina]

Educate yourself as much as you can.

Have open honest direct discussion with him about Bipolar and how he feels towards it. Ask him how YOU can help him or support him... Also he needs to know how you are and how he can support you... goes both ways

Good luck Welcome to PC

[Nothingbutblueskies]

I was diagnosed 12 years ago with Bipolar.

I recommend introducing a 0-10 scale of "how do you feel". "5" is "everything is just fine, not good or bad". upwards goes into hypomania and down goes into depression.

As BP2 he may ride at "4" a lot. You need to know if he slips down to "3", that's when he needs to get to the doctor for special attention.

The number scale helps because it takes away the shame and guilt we Bipolar types have about our emotions. Someone says "how are you" and we think we are supposed to be at a 5 or a 6 but we feel 3 or 4 and we don't want to say, "oh god, I am just barely hanging in there..." but if you know what the numbers means, it can take a weight off. IF he is not feeling well then the numbers can tell you he might need some time alone or he might want to be with you, but watching a movie or something. The numbers can tell you if he is unable to go out and socialize.

Please know that his moods don't have anything to do with you. Well, maybe some do, but for the most part the Bipolar stuff just happens on its own and the person cannot control it as much as he or she would love to be able to. It sucks to be Bipolar and it sucks to have to be Bipolar in front of someone you love. It's a hard road, and he is very lucky to have you.

Be sure to make time for yourself.
You can also use the number scale to tell him about how you are feeling. And you can use it for anything really ("that movie was a 4")-- this can be fun, just number everything

[BlackPup]

It's a long journey and finding the right meds can be hard. Just having someone who stocks by you through it is an amazing support. Remember you are not his counsellor or doctor and you don't need to fix it when things get bad.
Everyone is different so find out how you can help him - eg whether or not to remind about meds, whether to help enforce sleep schedules, whether to comment on mood changes

[venusss]

remember he is still human, not a diagnosis that needs to take meds and go to doctors. Seriously... these should be like 1% of your life... other then that... but there for him. Don't view every trait and mood of his through bipolar lens.

[knowswatcher]

I appreciate all the advice. I just don't know where to turn sometimes.

[knowswatcher]

That number scale seems like a good idea ...

[Endurance]

Originally Posted by Nothingbutblueskies

I was diagnosed 12 years ago with Bipolar.

I recommend introducing a 0-10 scale of "how do you feel". "5" is "everything is just fine, not good or bad". upwards goes into hypomania and down goes into depression.

As BP2 he may ride at "4" a lot. You need to know if he slips down to "3", that's when he needs to get to the doctor for special attention.

The number scale helps because it takes away the shame and guilt we Bipolar types have about our emotions. Someone says "how are you" and we think we are supposed to be at a 5 or a 6 but we feel 3 or 4 and we don't want to say, "oh god, I am just barely hanging in there..." but if you know what the numbers means, it can take a weight off. IF he is not feeling well then the numbers can tell you he might need some time alone or he might want to be with you, but watching a movie or something. The numbers can tell you if he is unable to go out and socialize.

Please know that his moods don't have anything to do with you. Well, maybe some do, but for the most part the Bipolar stuff just happens on its own and the person cannot control it as much as he or she would love to be able to. It sucks to be Bipolar and it sucks to have to be Bipolar in front of someone you love. It's a hard road, and he is very lucky to have you.

Be sure to make time for yourself.
You can also use the number scale to tell him about how you are feeling. And you can use it for anything really ("that movie was a 4")-- this can be fun, just number everything

I'm going to tell my family about this. I think it could help me explain how I feel better. I'm Bipolar I

[Odee]

There's a lot of great advice and perspective in this thread.

Really, the most important thing is being supportive and trying to learn more about the condition and even more about him.

Good luck.

[knowswatcher]

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I like the idea of a number scale, that makes it easy for us to know when to react.