Posted by Lonely on October 17, 2004, at 19:59:25
In reply to Re: Spouse is Bipolar - What Do I Do? » Lonely, posted by shortelise on October 17, 2004, at 12:52:35
Thank you, ShortE. Even just sympathy is appreciated! And that's partly because I feel terribly alone in dealing with this.
Thankfully, he's been sober from alcohol for 5 years and illegal drugs (to the best of my knowledge) for 32 years. However, I think he liked taking the antidepressants not only for the theraputic benefit of lifting the depression but also because they put him into the manic phase ... it must be sort've like a "high." Has anyone else had any experience with this?
> Lonely, do I ever feel for you.
>
> When disorders are combined with substance abuse it's so hard to work with. The person has to have some desire to help him/herself, and stopping the substance abuse is the first step. It's sometimes a the prerequisite of therapists that the person stop the substance before being allowed to do therapy. Not that this info does you much good...
>
> So, I have no advice, wixh I did, except that you take care of yourself.
>
> ShortE
poster:Lonely
thread:403214
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041016/msgs/404255.html