[LilyAna18]

Last night, after a relatively nice day my husband's mood shifted drastically. He was being rude and sarcastic, making fun of me and thought hewas being funny. This morning he just started ragging on me for no reason and was even teasing our son. He admits he doesn't feel quire right but he won't admit he is becoming hypomanic. I beleive he is beginning to suffer mixed episodes ( or rapid cycling) and is under medicated. Because of some bad choices about a week ago his pdoc wanted him to start depakote because the dr beleives he is hypomanic. He refused emphatically and says he is depressed. Its very confusing because he can sleep all day, be anxious then get out of bed and bounce around the house acting like a mean little kid. I don't want him to be a zombie but his lithium is not doing enough to control his moods, both up and down. We are very stressed financially and I know this constant trigger is maling it hard for him to fully pull out of this episode. But his moods are the reason we are finanvially stressed. Its just a vicious cycle.

I love my husband and want to help but he seems resistant. How do I encourage him to make better choices and talk to him when he is mean and irrational?

[hamster-bamster]

Depakote and Lithium act synergistically and yes, are a strong combination against mania, which is probably what is motivating the p-doc's choice. I think the only thing you can do is tell him that the depakote/lithium combo would also pull him out of the depressive side of things. Since he believes in being depressed, that sort of reasoning might (no guarantees) get his favorable attention.

[Clinte89]

Welcome to PC And Just to let you know when your hypomanic its hard to tell at least for me it is. SO even if you tell him you may actually upset him because he thinks he is just feeling good. Its a hard thing to deal with and I hope they get his meds right.

[Victoria'smom]

It's really hard to acknowledge hypo-mania or even recognize it. Irritability / agitation is usually blamed on others.

[LilyAna18]

Thanks for the replies, today got better, we even got out to visit with family. He actually mentioned feeling h manic this afternoon after his coffee buzz wouldn't wear off. I'm relieved, and since realizing it he has been much nicer today. I'm also proud of him for not giving in to his temptation to drink tonight. All in all this day turned out way more mellow than it seemed it would this morning.

[LilyAna18]

Clinte.... I think he does have a hard time telling at first. So do I honestly, I'm usually relieved he wants to talk, hang out and if the upswing is more gradual we usually have a few great days before the irritability sets in. And I am very delicate when I try to bring it up, I want him to feel good, but also in control.

Any suggestions as to how to approach stuff with him are welcome. That's why I'm here, I want he and I to communicate as well as we can during the weird stuff and the normalcy.