My husband of 5 years has told me in the past month that he is bipolar. This- although a bit of a relief, was still a surprise. I have a friend who is bipolar and has struggled with alot of issues over the years. The discussion while upsetting, is almost a relief. My husband has been very cruel over the past 12 a 14 months. Short tongued, impatient, nasty, rude. My children wonder why I put up with him and the way he talks to me. Sometimes I do too. He has hidden his illness from me until recently. My belief is because he felt he was fractured. I do feel like I have been misled. Marriage is supposed,to be a partnership where each party is honest. I feel like I have been betrayed. I have spent a lot of time reading information on mental illness in the past weeks- what it is, what families can do, how to tell the signs. But I signed up for a partnership where mutual respect and courtesy was part of the deal. Deciept, anger, selfishness were not the qualities I hoped for in my partner. The 'best friend' I had has been lost for the past 4 years and the man I fell in love with has not surfaced since just after our wedding day. I am the sole supporter of a family of 5. I work a lot, Cook the meals, clean the house and am the glue that holds this family together. To be treated terribly, in front of family, friends is not what's I had hoped for. Please explain if this is normal behaviour for a bipolar male and if there is help. When I suggest seeing the doctor together, I am met with , "it's my issue- it doesn't concern you.' When I explain that we are all part of this illness, that we all love and support my husband, he tells me that he would be best not around. How do I cope with this? Our day to day life is terrible, intimacy is non existent and my life is lonely. Any advise would be very appreciated.
