new to the group

Hello, Sinking fast, and welcome to the Bipolar Forum,

Yes, properly medicated bipolar patients can be effective in life. Many fight against the illness even though they are unmedicated, but it's far more difficult and less successful.

See if you are able to persuade your partner to seek medical help through sources available. Some medications are not that expensive and may be very helpful. Above all, try to have your companion see a psychiatrist. There's no need for the constant fighting. Both of you may be contributing to that, so you need to find the answers.

Staying with a bipolar patient is a choice. The parent-child relationship sounds very much like a co-dependent relationship and not a healthy one.  Both of you may need psychotherapy to recover.

A real relationship (and healthy one) is two independent souls living a quiet, healthy lifestyle, and meeting at moments of intimacy and then returning to their independence. It's a calm, quiet, flowing lifestyle. The fighting is negative, ultimately ineffective, and damaging to both partners.

Please get help for both of you. If you can't, things will continue to deteriorate. Psychotherapy is extremely helpful to teach each of you how to live effectively.

Good wishes and keep posting as you wish.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/10/2012 12:35:29 AM (GMT-7)

Hello Sinking Fast and welcome to HealingWell,

Having a significant other  that suffers from depression can be extremely difficult and  this is especially true if the you have never experienced any type of mental health disorder.

 

In your situation this is where you need to look back and remember why you chose  this lady  in the first place to share your life with ?  What are her good qualities? What made you fall in love with her?  Doesn’t she  still have most of those good qualities?

Although it's not always easy to do, you need to remember that you love this lady  and anything less than caring and compassion isn't fair to her. If you no longer love her than you will have to work through how you want to proceed.

At the same time you need to take care of you and I am wondering if you have looked at any counseling for yourself ? I feel it is important to have some down time and please know it is ok to take time out for you.

As difficult as this may seem you need to put both of your best interests first.  Without her meds she is not doing well.  Is there some way that she can afford the medications - medical assistance program ?

There is no easy answer but I do understand we sometimes have to put our own health and well being before another's so make the decision that is right for both of you. 

Kindly,

Kitt