Reply #14: my partner is bipolar

[sffreeways]

out of nowhere after 10 years of being together my very pleasant, calm, polite, sweet, lovable, French, woman became a monster from hell. The gyn gave her prozac and told her she had depression. I don't know if you're familiar with what happens when you give someone with bipolar disorder prozac but it's bad...BAD ! It kept getting worse and worse and I didn't know what was wrong with her. I knew she wasn't depressed. She was mean and untrustworthy and wreckless and it was ruining every aspect of our lives. She turned on me so bad and it broke my heart I loved her so much.

She finally got a psychiatrist and told him all kinds of lies and he shut me out. She lied compulsively and to everyone for no reason. No one knew what was really happening but they all blamed me. I was too controlling, I was too clingly, it was all me and she was the poor put apon soul that I was making depressed. I couldn't tell them about the mania which is absolutely vital because the patient often won't tell them about it because they don't realize it. He pumped up the prozac even more and she started cutting and became suicidal.

We finally separated but I stuck it out and I begged and begged her to change doctors. We ended up leaving the west coast and I sent her home to her parents in France. They got her a psychiatrist who recognized the severe bipolar disorder and started her on some really good medications. A few months later after 2 years of horror the love of my life came out of it and was completely herself again only better.

She was devestated when she realized the hell I'd been through but now our relationship has never been so loving and so strong. I'm lucky, we both are that she found a good doctor and she has no problem with her meds. Sometimes, pretty often it's a problem that they go off the medication because they think they are better and they miss the mania. Not my babe, it was so horrible and she suffered so much she knows she will need those meds for the rest of her life. This doctor saved her life. And she is so courageous she worked so hard to get better. I don't know what I would do without her. She's always there for me.

I hear stories like yours and I know what you've been through and I have to tell you I admire you and your child I have a deep admiration and appreciation because I know the suffering you've been through.

Bipolar disorder is terrible and it takes a very strong person to stick it out with the person afflicted by it. You must be an amazingly loving devoted parent and I'm sure you have a very very special child. For some reason it seems to affect the most intelligent gentle people and it takes such courage to get through it. Bless you and your daughter for your courage and love and strength. I love to hear stories of people that overcome this. You are indeed a wonderful person and parent.