living bipolar spouse
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
In just a few weeks after Valentine's Day is upon us. For seemingly happy couples will be a day to declare his undying love for delivery cards, gifts, send flowers, enjoy a romantic dinner or just love spending time at home alone.
For those of us living with / married with a loved one with bipolar disorder, may represent another day we need that feeling of "happily ever after. A world in which they believed would be ours when we fall. The intense feelings of love, the promise and excitement are mixed with the same intense feelings of anger, guilt, sadness, confusion, concern and loneliness.
Your partner has a disease that has not, and yet affects the lives of each and every day. The reality is that we are constantly fighting all the complicated feelings about the person you love, an unexpected twist to their relationship.
Today, couples who do not deal with the complications of a disorder mood still have to work to maintain a relationship. Worse, current statistics show that the divorce rate for people with disorder Bipolar is 3 ½ times more likely than people in the general population. So how to cope?
10 essentials for a relationship Loving bipolar
- Accept and acknowledge the disease: Bipolar disorder is challenging. Trying to pretend it's not not make it go away. As with all diseases should be treated bipolar disorder.
- Establish goals and dreams: As a couple who began working toward common goals. Once the bipolar disorder has been discovered that it is time to carefully look into the future. Always remember that your spouse or partner's dreams and desires are important. The commitment is good, but do not forget to keep a perspective on their personal dreams
- Maintaining intimacy: physical care to keep intimacy alive. If sex is not a current part of their relationship, a simple touch, hug or a kiss are still important to maintain a relationship.
- Communicate with your partner: words of comfort go a long way.
- I love you, no matter what.
- You are not alone and I'm here to you.
- You are important to me.
Though his life with your partner is probably not at all what you thought it would be that does not mean that a happy and meaningful relationship is out of reach. By adding these elements into their daily lives, while on their road to their personal goals and dreams, you are giving your relationship an opportunity to grow with new goals and visions. As with any relationship, it takes work and anything that has value is worth working for.
Kathleen Hennessey-Buchanan
CPC (Certified Professional Coach)
ELI-MP (Energy Leadership Index – Master Practitioner)
Author and Public Speaker
Do you know what your new relationship goals and visions are? Do you know what your personal goals and dreams are? Together we can find the answers that lie within you.
As a Certified Professional Empowerment Coach and owner of Gently Shifting Sands Coaching Kathleen’s passion is in empowering the partners, family members & caregivers, of loved ones afflicted with Mood Disorders, who have lost themselves in their loved ones disease. Through the use of various coping techniques she helps them discover how to move beyond the fear of the unknown to achieve a more manageable and balanced life.
Visit the website at http://www.gentlyshiftingsands.com to contact Kathleen to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss how coaching will empower you to achieve a happy and meaningful relationship with yourself and your partner.
Bipolar/schizophrenic disorder can be healed….