Posted 4/7/2016 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
My husband is VERY recently diagnosed as Bipolar 1 - and I need some advice. Of course we are just now beginning to try new medications though previously he has tried Lamictal and Depakote. He is trying Abilify now, but I digress.
He is mean and angry all the time. He yells at me constantly, and our three young children. It seems like we can't do anything around him without it igniting his temper. He doesn't hit any of us, and the kids love him to death, but I am unhappy.
He has had substance abuse issues for years - mostly alcohol and pills (Oxycodone). If he smokes marijuana he can't just do it a little, he overindulges and will spend hundreds of dollars a month on it. His substance abuse and temper has been a major source of contention in our marriage and I find myself pulling away because I am tired of being yelled at.
So today, he went to go pick up our kids from daycare. 2 days on Abilify as well as 5mg Valium twice a day. Well, he apparently got the bright idea to have "one drink" after work...I don't think it was only one as I could smell it on him.
He strapped all three kids into their car seats and started backing up. Well, he apparently only THOUGHT all three were in the car and he backed over our 19 month old toddler. She is okay, thank goodness - but the outcome could have been MUCH WORSE.
I am at a loss now. I mean, he has taken steps to try and get the help that he needs and is beginning that process...but he could have killed our daughter. Do I keep waiting to see if the medication will take hold and help him? Before I would have said without a shadow of a doubt that he was no risk to the kids but now...now he apparently is.
Any advice? Can I save my marriage AND keep my children safe? How can I help him to become more stable?