How do others handle their spouse with depression and mental health issues. It makes me very sad?
Posted by Dolores
jlgb41 asked:
I am a professional woman who has been married for 14yrs. My husband is on medication but battles with massive depression and bipolar issues. It puts lots of pressure on me and its hard to be the one who always holds things together. How do others do it. I’m sad
GIL
I am a professional woman who has been married for 14yrs. My husband is on medication but battles with massive depression and bipolar issues. It puts lots of pressure on me and its hard to be the one who always holds things together. How do others do it. I’m sad
GIL
February 18th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I believe (N A M I) has a support group for families with loved ones with mental health issues.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
See the DEPNET website, on the 3rd page in section 2, (then view page R) and the BIPOLAR SUPPORTER website, and use the bipolar chatrooms, and forums, (state what medications, dosages, and how long) in section 10, at ezy build, below. A previous answer follows: See section 10, on bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don’t diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.
Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I’d take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won’t need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve.
If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren’t good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as Lamictal, or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out “lithium” at, and and always research medications first, (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. (Personally, if I wasn’t bipolar type 1, and didn’t experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I’d first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John’s wort, and also antidepressants, may cause mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I’d aso eat in accordance with my “nutritional type”. Enter that term in the searchbar at
If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening. If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably “krill oil” for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren’t troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states).
Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at: Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John’s wort, which may cause mania, or hypomania). As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them. Don’t use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime. It is not unknown for those discontinuing medication, and trying the alternative treatments, (which are not quick to work) to lose their jobs, because of unacceptable behavio(u)r, so I’d start 1 week before vacation, and closely monitor the situation, and use medical advice. He may benefit from seeking a second opinion, and a review of medication, or trying the alternative & complimentary treatments. Any therapist yet?
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
This is a really delicate matter. My mom has been having depressions ever since my dad died 2 years ago. However, I didn’t know how to approach her problem until I consulted some health community specialists. Here’s my source: