Bipolar Depression

This is my first post here.........Im a 50 year old male that has recently been diagnosed with bp2. I have had depression over the last several years, but the new diagnosis comes from the events that have taken place over the last year.......I left my wife for another woman and after 3 months I went back home and my wife was wonderful enough to take me back. After 5 months I left home again to be with the same woman and again after 3 months I wanted to go back home. I suffered from severe anxiety, depression and guilt. My wife has allowed me back into our home to stay as a "guest", but will probably want a divorce in the future. I feel in limbo with my life......Any words of encouragement out there to help me through this emptyness I feel inside?......thanks.......Steve

Perhaps if you get some medication, you can balance your emotions and stop the ping-pong you have been playing with your wife's emotions (and your own). Look into TrueHope's EmpowerPlus supplement if you don't want to go the pharmaceutical route. Maybe it will work for you and it's a lot less expensive. You can check it out on YouTube.com if you type in "truehope" and "discovery" into their search engine - it will bring up a 6 part Discovery Health Channel special on the supplement which was studied at Harvard.

In the meantime, you need to try and reduce your stress level which will lessen your symptoms and make them more manageable. This is accomplished by getting your life/home/business organized, eating a higher protein diet with lots of wild caught salmon and veges - try and stay off the sugar (and simple white carbs) and then perhaps doing some yoga or tai chi to balance yourself. Swimming is also good.

If you want to try and save your relationship with your wife, you need to be very contrite and do your best to make it up to her for what you have done. Own it ... take responsibility for your actions and maybe you can rebuild your relationship. Or, maybe you want to leave and go off with this new woman you have found. If that is the case, you need to let your wife go to to find a satisfying relationship for herself. The cheating is part of the BPII disease. It is so prevalent, that it has a name "The Manic Affair".

It sounds like you have rapid cycles - every 3 months or so, everything changes for you. Perhaps if you can recognize your triggers, you can learn to nip these dysregulating feelings in the bud before they destroy what you have accomplished. I'm imagining there is more to your situation than just the cheating. Maybe spending? Alcohol or drugs? Other impulsive behaviors like quitting jobs or starting businesses without thinking them through? Obsessive hobbies? This sort of thing only contributes to your anxiety and stress level, which in turn, can trigger another episode. You need stability so that you can gain control over your life again. If you can afford not to work for a while, you could use this time to de-stress and work on yourself and your health.

Your inner turmoil must be awful. I wish you luck in your recovery.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chattycathy,

Thank you for your knowledge........I have started taking Lamictal, but Im only to half the dose I should be on and working up to the full dose. Theres no alcohol/drugs problems and I have been at the same job for 17 years. Another big stress in my life is that I have a 14 year old son with severe Autism. It has made life a real challenge, but we both care and love him very much. I will check out the supplement you suggested on Youtube. Would it be OK to take both the Rx and natural supllement together?......Thanks again for your insight......Steve

Haven't always followed my own advice, but I think it makes sense: Get healthy, then get the relationship going. You can't pick a women without being able to think straight. Focus on the value the person brings. Does she make you a better person? Is she compelling and fascinating? Don't settle, or you'll be miserable. But look at the big picture, too. Not easy to do. But if you want to be with someone, you need to get your health better first.

Hello NoBrakes,

I believe that you can take the Truehope Supplement while on other meds. If you call them on their toll-free number, all the counselors who answer the phones are also taking the supplement for various reasons and they have a protocol you can follow depending on which meds you are on. They can also recommend shrinks who are using it in their practice.

I do recommend that you watch the Discovery Channel cable special on it on YouTube.com before deciding what you want to do. The medical community in general frowns on using any type of natural, holistic or other non-pharmaceutical treatment so you will need all the info this TV special provides if this is the course you want to take.

I hope things work out for you, your son and your wife.

Thanks for the advice.......I want to make it work with my wife. The other woman was good to me, but in the long run it wouldnt last, not to mention even if I wanted to go back she wouldnt take me. My wife is a wonderful person and has helped me alot.We have been together 20 years. I just hope she can put up with me and hopefully I will start feeling better. Right now my mind is kind of racing and I feel insecure inside......Steve

If your mind is racing and feel out of control, you may need different or more medication. Assuming you have meds now and are taking them on time. See doctor ASAP. Go in with a list of things. Take notes at the doc. You must. We can't remember everything. Our mind will wander in there. And they don't have a lot of time. Write down concerns. Better yet, make a copy of the list for the doc. Hand it to him/her. Make the most of that visit to get better.