[MyOtherSelf]

Hello Ya'll, Just joined today-and I'm glad to see this thread.

The last month has been a roll-a-coaster for me and almost ended in my Husband and I separating. Details may come out at another time as they may be relevant, yet not on this thread. I mention it because while we were on a two week trip (3700 miles of driving) to visit family in hospital in one town, a family re-union in another town, and seeing two adult children/in two other separate locations, he informed me he was going to file for a divorce when we get home. Needless to say my world fell apart that night, in a hotel six states away from home.
The next morning we barely spoke as we packed to leave,yet he looked at me and said," I'd be willing to go to marriage counselor before I file, but maybe we should live apart while we do".
My reply was, "At a local church-or Mental Health location?" I attend two local churches with friends and family 2-3 time a month/he attends on holidays. His answer was a church would be O.K.

We will have our first session this coming up Saturday, and I just wonder (what others who know they are bipolar think-at this point I am self-diagnosed) about if I should bring up my belief that I'm Bipolar from the get-go/or if I should hold off and handle it at another time.

Thanks for you opinions in advance, I'm swingin' in the wind here, and need advice!

[avlady]

I think you should tell the doc or t your symptoms first then see what they diagnosis you with. Then when you get comfortable with them you can go into your religious beliefs. Sometimes the docs think you are too religious and won't deal with that, but they see it as a symptom of your illness.

[MyOtherSelf]

Thank you, Avlady, what I ment was should I tell the pastor, at the meeting with my husband about my belief that I am Bipolar; or would that come across as an excuse for my behavior (over all attitude) in our marriage. Bipolar or not I have strong opinions/believe "the facts are the facts"/and don't sugar coat my opinions.

Until i learn more about the condition, I don't know how much of an effect it has had on how I relate to my husband. After he told me he would be willing to get marriage counsling he followed up the comment by say that he probably needed it more than I do.
We have been married for 7yrs now and he said he feels like he has been emotionally dead for over 25 years. He kind/dependable/easy going/but not affectionate/expects me to pull 85% of the weight/ sides with others against me-etc.
So by by declaring "I think I'm bipolar" at our first meeting might come across as though I'm saying "I have an excuse for having the attitudes I do...so now lets fix you. Do see what I mean?
I wonder if I should do the research/find a doctor/get diagnosed/the enter the outcome into the counsling session, allowing the sessions to proceed with the focus on how he and I relate/Our problems together.

Thanks again for your help avlady! After spend 5 hours on this site reading yesterday I feel so much calmer and not so overwelmed. Today I'm looking forward to learning about "Trigers" and "How to go about finding a suitable doctor/mental health provider!

Ya'll are awesome-I'm blessed to have found this site!

[avlady]

I'm happy i was able to be of help!!