Bipolar partner

I am afraid you both just need to ride it out until his mood lifts again.  Is his medication balanced correctly? as he has had frequent mood swings lately.  Sex can be a problem when mentally ill as the urge diminishes.  Keep supporting him and that is all you can really do.

In agreement with richard89308.  Also manage his diet.  What foods he is eating.  Cut out caffeine and if possible alcohol (they can result as depressants and bring you down quickly).  Find out what foods, help you relax, sleep, what foods give you best nourishment and avoid the foods that are likely to affect his moods in a negative way.  It works both ways with sex.  If your on a high and young you can be insatiable, being just young your body naturally reacts in this way.  And on a low it's nothing to do with your partner but you just can feel like you can't be bothered.  Mood swings can be unforgiving, but remember it's the illness and not the person themselves. As richard89308 says, balancing out his meds is really important.

It's always definitely the hardest but u do just have to wait it out. But whilst doing this there are ways to help in that process as richard89308 and jo59105 have stated. I have found that going out and enjoying yourselfs still helps as long as you are both avoiding the bad environments and temptations. My partners downfall is drink but he thinks it's his pain relief. He is also on a path of spirituality. Would your partner consider any kind of path of enlightenment. Even workshops?

Thanks for the replies...... Sadly he is not on the medication yet, still awaiting results etc back to see what will best suit him. It's not the lack of sex as I can live with that for the time being, it's the lack of even wanting to cuddle up and even a kiss is a chore for him at the moment. I have heard about the caffeine thing but he doesn't have a lot of that anyway. Alcohol he knows himself needs to be cut out but he does do the odd recreational drug taking as he finds that as an escape. Trying to get him out and about is realy a chore as he doesn't want to do anything at the moment and I keep trying to say to him that we should get out for some fresh air even just to keep him occupied. Just wish I could do something else to help. The mood swings have been quite bad of late but as you say jo59105, it's the illness and not him as that's not the same man I fell in love with (well it is but not if that makes any form of sense?)

The best thing you can do Crosshatch, is be there for him. Try to suggest doing things together, going for a walk, watching a film, playing a card game like snap, even.

it is terribly hard to motivate yourself when depressed. You could even ask him to help with househchores, like changing the bedding together etc. as for being "close" this will be the last thing on his mind. Be patient. Be caring and just be there for him. Take care.

Is he on any medication? Perhaps a visit to the drs would help, if he is taking anything for the. Depression, it may not be the right medicine for him. Maybe you could talk to his dr Take Care 

 

Hi, I just read your posts and could relate to it so much. I hope things have improved for you both now? 

I have been with my partner for nearly 10 years and I think he is suffering with bi polar too - he is in the process of being diagnosed, but depending on his mood, it can be really difficult to get him to commit to the process. 

I realise it's awful for them, but it's so hard for the people close too. My partner is pushing me away again at the moment, which makes things really difficult. When he is like this, there seems to be no getting through to him or helping, I have tried everything. He cuts off from all his family too, the only people he speaks too are work colleagues and any girl that he has decided to start messaging when he is like this. 

Hopefully on the right medication, things can improve! 

Best wishes, Rebecca