mixing alcohol with xanax

by janet shorden
(st albans wv 25177)

What can you say to bipolar manic depressed person when nothing makes them happy at the time. And i am afraid to say anything because he will go into a screaming rage. Then when i am quiet he ask me to talk to him. I feel my best bet is to be still. How do you entertain a manic bipolar person?

Ben's Answer:
You can't entertain a manic person; and you can't allow him to hold you hostage under threat of verbal and emotional abuse just because he's Bipolar. It does take tremendous patience, love and determination to live with a person struggling with Bipolar Disorder, but you have to know what your limits are. There has to be some sort of healthy, sane dialog between you - some plan of action for when he's in a state of mania - so that you can remain safe and keep your own sanity and peace of mind.

A person with Bipolar Disorder has to become an expert on Bipolar Disorder, and an expert on how to cope with their own moods and live a healthy life, or they will always be in chaos and crisis. And anyone brave enough to be in a relationship with them has to do the same. And they need to have a way to talk about that. Otherwise you will get nowhere.

Therapy would be my first recommendation. If none is available, then at least read all the books you can get a hold of on BP and he needs to do the same.

I'm not sure why your title is "mixing alcohol with xanax" - but that is a very dangerous combination, and definitely wont improve anyone's life.

It really is possible to change things if you're both committed to working on it. But it takes two.

Take Care,
Ben Schwarcz, MFT
Santa Rosa Psychotherapist











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