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Bipolar Disorder/Placement after hospitalization

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Expert: - 8/25/2009


Question
My husband has suffered with bipolar since he was a teenager.  He is now 41.  He has been on a manic for the last 10-11 months.  This is his 2nd hospitalization in 2 months.  I am not sure that I can give him the care he needs at this point.  We have an 8 year old son and this has really taken a toll on us over the last year.  I am having some health issues now of my own and I want to have him go to a board & care facility when he is released but his family-brother, sister, mother are up in arms about my decision.  They say I am throwing him to the wolves.  I am just trying to make the right decision for my husband so he can get better and get back to the person he was a year ago.  Am I doing the right thinh?  HELP!!

Answer
I cannot tell you what the right thing to do for your situation is.  However, simply because it's not the popular choice with his family members, doesn't mean that you should drop the option and go with their wishes.  It's easy for them to tell you what you're doing is bad, because they're not the ones who are going to be there every day and dealing with things that come up moment by moment.

  Have you talked to your husband about what he feels he is going to need to receive the kind of help he needs,following his release from where he is now?  He's in a hospital setting which would mean he's taking his meds as directed, so he's probably in the best mental state to have such a discussion with him at this point in time.  When we're sticking to our medications consistently, we're capable of having clear thoughts and I would be hard pressed to find any bipolar who wasn't very good at expressing themselves both verbally and in writing.  I'd also suggest that you have a serious discussion with your husband about long-term planning for situations that will occur in the future and his wishes should be known well in advance to avoid any problems.  He will most likely be back in a hospital at some point during his life, and in the event that you are not physically capable of providing his caretaking needs, you must have already gotten the necessary documentation stating what you both want to be done, as well as consider provisions for end of life matters.  It is never too soon to plan for these things in one's life, and the fact that being prepared can be comforting because you both know that things have been properly taken care of already with both you and your husband's wishes having been considered.

Bipolar Disorder

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Jennifer

Expertise

I am available to answer questions of a general nature about bipolar disorder, provide online resources that address bipolar disorder in a more in-depth manner and sources to serve as a starting point for those looking for substantial information on the illness from a healthcare professional approach. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist, my background is based in personal experience and extensive reading in my own process of understanding my diagnosis. I can also take questions that deal with the social issues surrounding bipolar disorder such as relationships; coping for family, friends, and the patient; marriage, choosing to start a family and related. Answers to questions of a legal nature will provide general information but anyone with a serious legal problem should consult an attorney licensed to practice in their jurisdiction.

Experience

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II in 2000; as a SSI beneficiary, have experience and knowledge of the limitations and processes involved with the program; I understand the moods, the feelings, the worries, the doubts, and a lot more that there's not enough room to express - from the personal experiences of being bipolar. I have first-hand experience with the challenges of returning to college following hospitalizations and various combinations of medications that were tried before my doctor and I finally arrived at the most effective medication program for my treatment. My family and I have learned so much about each other in the process of dealing with the highs and lows that followed my diagnosis. I've had relationships with someone who also is bipolar and someone that is not - romantic relationships are no easier on either side! I feel that many of the ideas and beliefs that people have regarding bipolar disorder and those who have the condition promote the continuation of social stigmas associated with mental illness in general, and after learning from others with bipolar disorder, hope to guide others who may be trying to navigate the government health care system,& share information on other possible means of obtaining assistance with the cost of medications and/or mental health services and limited financial assistance programs for meeting basic living expenses for qualified individuals, dealing with problems from or with family & loved ones, co-occurring substance abuse problems, medications and side-effects (and when it feels like nothing will work, or why it's not helping the situation to ask whether or not a patient has taken their 'meds' when they seem hostile or moody to those around them).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and will earn my J.D. upon completion of the Spring 2011 term after which I will be preparing to take the multi-state bar exam.

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