[Archer2008]

I hope it's okay that I am here. Two weeks ago my husband was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a severe manic episode. It was discovered that he is bipolar (from what I've researched it looks like type 1). I've known him for 5 years and he never had an episode and the doctors are surprised he was so high functioning (steady job, married, college, etc) for so long without therapy/medication..he had a"mental breakdown" 6 years ago before I knew him but we didn't know it was bipolar (long story).

Anyways. It's been more than rough for me. This was a blow to the gut as I am not only pregnant with out first-but my induction date is set for tomorrow- which means my husband not only missed our anniversary (day after admitted), Christmas but now the birth of our child. I am trying to get through this and I sometimes see no end in sight. He has improved in 2 weeks, but he is still a bit manic. He paces back and forth and has a lot of anxiety it seems. He is also easily agitated and irritated however his delusions and disjointed ideas are ceasing. Some days are good--it seems like he is doing so well--and then other days he seems to take a step backwards.

I wish I knew how long he would be in there. If he will ever improve. If there is hope. I've never known anyone who has wen hospitalized (to my knowledge) with this type of mania. I don't know what to expect. I know he needs to be in there for as long as it takes but I guess I'm impatient--no one seems to know anything about when he should get out or even what the criteria for getting out even is. I trust his doctors of course..but sometimes I feel so hopeless like he will never be the man I married. Like he will be in there forever or something. My family/friends tell me he will be fine--but I need to hear from someone who has been there.
Like I said I am new to all of this. It all came out of nowhere and seemingly
At the absolute worst time possible. Almost every day he tells me
How he feels "100% better" and how much he wants to come home. I want him to be in there for however long he needs to be but it breaks my heart that he is going through this. I don't blame him or wanting to leave but he is not ready yet.
Thanks for taking the time to read.

[Trippin2.0]

Of course his manic episode will pass! Bp is a cyclical beast, nobody stays in one mood state forever.

Its good that he's inpatient, they can stabilize him faster than what can be done on the outside. Generally they pump you full of tranqs to slow your brain down, and thus end the mania faster...

I'm sorry you were blindsided like this, and at such an aweful time too Just hang in there, because if there's one thing you can count on regarding bipolar, its that "this too shall pass".

[BlackPup]

It can take some time to get the right meds for him because everyone is different and there are lots of side effects with meds. Also it can take some time to come to terms with the diagnosis and actually take your meds all the time. A lot of BPers are not very compliment with meds.
Once you get on the right meds some people function very well others never find meds which work for them.
I've got BP and am fully functional with just some minor mood fluctuations since my little boy was born 9 months ago. Before that I was functional for many years.

[Victoria'smom]

Stress can trigger episodes. I think it takes a while to find the new normal. I say a new normal because with mania and psychosis comes embarrassment, lower self esteem, and not wanting that to happen ever ever again. With diagnosis comes fear that this is forever, "My significant other is better off w/o me because of bipolar", what are my limitations, do I have limitations, How to pay all these new medical bills and things like that.

He's the same person but has to figure out what he is willing/"needs" to do to stay stable. For me it involves therapy, medication, automatic bill pay, simplifying bills and the "stuff" we have and all our little rules. I don't take a lot of medication and don't "feel" a job is "worth" my stability. I refuse to be heavily medicated. There are people here that are not medicated, hold down jobs and seem to live a happy healthy life using their coping mechanisms, except a hiccup every once in a while. Then there are people that are comfortable having a lot of help to stay stable.

I really suggest getting yourself a therapist as well as a family therapist. The family therapist has done a lot of help with things and relationship concerns before they become actual issues. She's also very good at helping us weather and discern issues that are currently to do with mood swings vs. underlying issues. Our individual therapist concentrates on how our family dynamic is currently affecting us and daily life issues.

[vjdragonfly]

I like to think in general I am the same person. I just need more understanding from my family when I go through my episodes, which I know is hard on them at times. He is going to need to know that you will stick through this with him when he gets out. Educating yourself and even getting additional outside help on dealing with this is a plus. Best of wishes to you all.