How to help spouse with bipolar?

Complex answer: It sort of depends on your starting point. Is your husband bipolar and he's not acknowledging the diagnosis-hasn't been evaluated yet-isn't yet under an md's care? Or is he already in treatment but needs some encouragement from you because he's not feeling better? If he's not yet in treatment, self-help reading, support groups and referral to an md are 1st steps. If he is, then your support is key.

Helpful Groups: To best help your spouse, learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder & put in place support for yourself & your family. Ask to accompany your spouse to appointment(s) w/mental health specialists. Get info online from the national alliance on mental health http://www.Nami.Org as well as from the depression & bipolar support alliance http://www.Dbsalliance.Org.

He has to want it: Your spouse has to want therapy and medication, and all you can really do is encourage him/her to seek both and engage deeply and meaningfully in the therapeutic process. You simply cannot do it for him/her, much as you'd like to. You can either be the spouse or the therapist. You cannot be both, and even though you want to see the person get better, trying to be both simply will not work.