Marriage can be very tough, which is why many marriages result in divorce. Add in a mental illness, and it can be even harder to keep a marriage together. Studies show that there are about 5.7 million American adults that are affected by bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can result in major mood swings that can be spurred on at any minute. And for those marriages with at least one bipolar spouse, the marriage will end in divorce 90% of the time. This is often due to the result of person's symptoms where they can act in a destructive manner that hurts the marriage. In order to keep your marriage, here are some tips to help cope with a bipolar spouse.
Shop for the Best Doctor
Experts suggest that it can take an average of six years to get a bipolar diagnosis. Finding the right doctor for your spouse is crucial when they are not getting the right treatment they need. If you feel that your spouse is bipolar, you want to see a doctor about it right away. If you do not get the diagnosis you are looking for, then you want to get a second and third opinion. Make sure you communicate clearly the symptoms your spouse is experiencing to ensure that the proper diagnosis is given.
Take Care of Yourself
Just because your spouse is the one suffering from a mental illness, it does not mean that you can neglect the way you feel. In fact, it is suggested that one in four family caregivers are diagnosed with anxiety. Taking care of your spouse who suffers from bipolar can be stressful. To ensure that you remain a good caregiver and support system, it is important that you take care of yourself. Spend some time focusing on your hobbies and interests. Also, read up on bipolar so you know how to handle it when your spouse experiences the different symptoms. This will help increase your confidence when caring for your spouse and their mental illness.
Let Your Family Know
When you keep secrets to yourself, it can eat away at you and cause you more stress. Keeping it a secret can also isolate you from the rest of the family members.It is important that you and your spouse remain open to your family members about their mental illness so that they can help. If you have kids, you want to remain open about what is going on. This allows them to share their feelings and feel less anxiety by knowing what is going on.
For more information, contact T M S Center of Nebraska LLC or a similar company.
