Does this sound like a manic episode?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Does this sound like a manic episode?
3
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 12:12am

As far as I know a psychiatrist has never officially diagnosed dh with bipolar. But his mother had it & talking to my therapist and docs they agree he sounds bipolar. He did have one psychiatrist put him on a 'new' drug that was supposed to help both bipolar and his ADHD. But I don't think he even took it for a full 6 mos.

This past summer we were feeling pretty good. In fact at the end of August my sister asked how our relationship was at the time & I told her evterything seemed like a dream it was so beautiful. Then I left town for a wedding & before I got back he had fallen in love with another woman whom he has not even seen - an emotional telephone affair. 3 weeks later he is flying down to go meet her.

Now he started drinking on Sep 4, started talking to her on Sep 8 and has not been sober one day since. Dh often drinks heavy in his lows (usually Jan, Mar, Jul and bumpy from Oct-Dec), but never for more then a few days. It has now been 6.5 weeks straight. He came back home 2 weekends ago to get into detox. But all the centers are full so it was suggested to see his doc, get some drugs and detox at home.

So now he's on Librium & he still has not stop drinking. On Friday night he told me he was going back to California to 'rent a room.' He packed his things & was out of here on Saturday.

The thing is, he is not logical at all, in fact I'd call it delusional. I don't know if it's just the alcohol, midlife crisis, manic episode or a mix of all three.

Can an manic episode last this long? His facial features has changed, his eyes are empty, his voice is even different, he doesn't make any sense. He's making up history, changing stories & believing they really happened. For example, he is now saying the first time we made love he actually raped me & he cannot understand why I ever continued to date or marry him. He seriously believes I had said no & tried to fight him off. It's like all of a sudden he's lived a totally different life than the one I've lived.

Can a manic episode go to this depth? It's lunacy. My poor 3yo is just totally confused. He misses his dad, but both times he left ds said he was happy daddy was leaving.

I have no idea what I'm doing now. I do have an apt with a lawyer on Wed, but I just keep hoping dh will snap out of it and become himself again.

BTW: he also lost his job in all of this, I was able to find a way for him to fight for it back so we have health insurance and now he's on leave of absence. He 'says' he is starting treatment on Wed, here in our city, and he's looking for a place to live.

Bonnie, home with a 3yo & 10mo




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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 5:37am

He does sound like he's manic. Yes, episodes can last that long, and yes, they can get VERY crazy. Make sure you get him to the pdoc and tell all. I hope for your whole family that he gets treatment and snaps out of it soon.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 7:40am

Hi Bonnie,

While mania can manifest as many different symptoms, it sounds more like your husband is delusional to me, like you said in your post. Has your husband seen a psychiatrist? That is very very very important! Only a psychiatrist can say whether or not a person is manic, and what might make me manic might not make him manic. Does that make sense? What concerns me most is the delusional thoughts, the dark thoughts he's having. He could be having, or very close to having a psychotic break. I've had these breaks after being manic and I've had a stay or two (or four) in the psych ward and gotten on the right meds to help me. Is this an option?

I am so sorry you're going through this right now! Its very very very difficult and scary to watch your spouse go through this. But please know that it can be okay again, with the right professional help. I think you are doing the right thing by going to a lawyer, you must go on with your life, as your dh isn't ready to help himself right now. its going to be a long hard road for him and he has to be ready to help HIMSELF before you can EVER help him.

I commend you for trying to understand what's going on with him. Feel free to come here at ANY time and talk with us, okay? That's why we are here. We live with Bipolar every day and maybe we can give you some insight as to what's going on, but mostly we can give YOU support and friendship.

Love and Hugs,

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 9:09am

Bonnie


First and formorst...big ((((HUGS)))) to you.

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