Hi All, Im needing some advice on how to deal with my home life. I was
diagnosed with BP in 2006. It has been an extremely rough road finding
the right medication balance but i got there . My partner of 7 years has
a stressful job and a very demandin...
View more
Hi All, Im needing some advice on how to deal with my home life. I was
diagnosed with BP in 2006. It has been an extremely rough road finding
the right medication balance but i got there . My partner of 7 years has
a stressful job and a very demanding 12 yr old son who comes to stay
with us every second week. I understand the stresses that my partner
faces as we work in the same industry field , however my partner is
always extremely stressed and everyday i find myself hiding away as its
the worst trigger with my Bipolar. He is a wonderful man , however quite
self focused on his own day to day workings. Over all the years i have
communicated with him the best i can about Bipolar disorder, given him
booklets , website links , taken him to appointments and advised him of
triggers etc etc.the last 2 months through a medication adjustment
because of getting older and its been extremely difficult with the side
effects and just trying to be aware of my behaviour in the household and
trying not to affect everyone,,, its been tough! The main issue is , my
partner will come home every night and unload a huge amount of venting
stress on me from the day he has had at work,, usually by the time hes
finished venting he rarely asks me how Im feeling or even how my day
was. By the time hes finished,im so exhausted from taking on a days
worth of his stress, i will go and sit under a running shower and cry my
eyes,out then move around quietly for the rest of the evening walking on
egg shells in the hope of not starting up another venting session i have
to listen too. Im at the point that i dont want to go home in the
evening just so i dont have to drown in his stress another day longer.
He is very aware that his stress is one of the biggest triggers as we've
discussed it numerous times but it just doesn't change anything. some
evenings i will get up and walk away mid conversation as i just cant
take the negative venting any longer ,, then he will realise its too
much ,, but avoid me like i have the plaque for the rest of the evening.
I feel im the one doing the supporting role but when i require the
support , its simply not available to me as he virtually has no room
left mentally to accommodate my stress or issues and give support. How
can i change this toxic routine and get the loving support i need
sometimes as the episodes ive had over the last few years have been
brought on by his stress