Bipolar Divorce

How to Avoid Relationship Loss When You Love Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar divorce rates are at an alarming 90% due to the tremendous stress and strain on the relationship when one partner has the disorder.

It requires tremendous commitment, love, patience and wisdom for a person to endure the ups and downs of their spouse with Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Symptoms are unique to each person. For some, they may suffer from long periods of depression, lasting weeks or even many months at a time, during which they have no sex drive, no motivation and no enjoyment in the usual things that are pleasurable for them. This can be very depressing for the spouse as well, causing him or her to feel hopeless, lonely, undesirable or unloved.

At other times a Bipolar partner may become unpredictable, agitated, and reactive to relatively minor or insignificant frustrations. Rages, irrational arguments and blame may be a common occurrence - among the most typical factors that can lead to divorce.

Those with Bipolar may also find themselves facing a divorce when the Bipolar partner behaves impulsively, becomes hyper-sexual, promiscuous, having affairs or casual sexual encounters outside the relationship, spending large amounts of money, or maxing out credit cards, or behaving in other reckless ways that create a great deal of stress and worry for their spouse.

For other couples, the spouse may have to deal with a partner who is forgetting or refusing to take their medication while their symptoms worsen, or watching helplessly as their partner attempts or threatens suicide.

It's no wonder that so many of those with Bipolar divorce their spouse before the damage can be repaired.

Quick Tips for Avoiding Divorce When Your Spouse Has Bipolar Disorder:

• Never take it personally when your spouse is going through an intense mood episode (either depressive or manic)
• It's not your fault that they have this illness
• It's OK to do things to take care of your own peace of mind and happiness. Have fun when you can, even if your partner can't participate with you.
• Don't isolate yourself. See friends, family, and support people regularly.
• It's OK to encourage, and even expect your partner to take their medication and/or supplements daily. You may need to remind them during difficult times, but at the same time, you cannot be more responsible than your spouse.
• Help your partner create a written Safety Plan that you both work on together. It can be a life-saver when thing get bad.
• See your own therapist and/or see a marital therapist with your spouse on a regular basis.
• Read books and websites, and educate yourself about Bipolar Disorder (don't assume you understand it just because you live with your spouse).
• Avoid arguments and conflicts when your partner is agitated, anxious or reactive. It's OK to walk away and discuss it later.

Avoid Bipolar Divorce: Learn about effective treatments I've seen many extraordinary couples succeed in their marriages, with courage, love and compassion when both partners take responsibility for themselves and the relationship, and have a common goal. It is absolutely possible with the right support. If your partner is Bipolar divorce is NOT inevitable!

Meditation is one of the most beneficial things both you and your partner can do to reduce stress and reduce the effects of Bipolar Disorder. Using a Guided Meditation CD is an easy way to get started and experience the benefits right away - no experience needed. Guided Meditation for Depression, Anxiety and Stress