http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh582/crazymumzysa/notallwounds_zpsxlnhbixe.jpg 

These days we all know someone suffering from bipolar.
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 Everyone knows someone living with this illness. For the person which suffer from this disease, it is really bad as they do not know what’s going to be their next thought, their next reaction, their next feeling. For their loved ones this could be very challenging too as they also do not know what to expect next from this person. 

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh582/crazymumzysa/hate-bi-polar_zpscz4wrs3t.jpg 

What it Bipolar?
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 Bipolar is a brain disorder which affects a person's moods. There are two types namely mania and hypo mania The person suffering from this disease will have drastic mood swings. They are either very high (highly energetic, enthusiastic about life and everything they do) or very low (depressed, low energy and incredibly negative) seldom do they experience an equilibrium for a long period of time. It affects the way they think, feel and react towards people and situations. They become pro to substance abuse which makes them even more difficult to live with and to treat. 
 

Symptoms:
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There are different types of bipolar disorders and the symptoms for these will vary.  It is always best to look for the extremes in mood swing (levels of excitement, irritability, restlessness, and sadness) energy levels, sleeping patterns, sex drive and appetite.

partners view:
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Having lived with my ex-wife for almost 20 years having this disease, I can say that I have experienced the worst and the best of someone suffering from this illness. There was time that she was highly motivated and full of energy, ready to conquer the world and then other times she went out of her way to make life miserable for everyone and attempts to take her own life.  It was stressful and a living nightmare for both myself and our children as we never knew what to expect next.

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh582/crazymumzysa/t1larg.US.highest.bipolar.rates_zpsp3q7sbzd.jpg 

Things you can do:
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As a partner, there are a couple of things you can do to assist in getting this disease under control.  Highest on the list is to look at your partner’s diet (limit caffeinated drinks and do not allow the intake of alcohol as this can affect the effectiveness of the medication), see to it that they take their medication as scheduled at the same time every day, daily exercise especially in the morning is very important as it helps improve the release of hormones, see to it that they get the required hours of sleep per day. 

If you do not follow these couple of basics, your diseased loved one, will find something to occupy their mind, i.e. Addiction (alcohol, over the counter drugs, even illegal drugs or someone else). 

Trust me, I have seen it all, 100 painkillers in 3 days, 5l of wine a day, dope, CAT, Cocaine, ecstasy acid, affairs male and female. Mood swings from locking themselves in a room being extremely depressed to going out and giving away personal belongings. Suicide attempts of them landing in hospital. 

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh582/crazymumzysa/bipolar-brain_zpsc73okzkx.png

**Don't be mislead and give in to their request:**

 Every time your partner feels better, they will try and convince you to go off their meds………..don’t let them, once they go off the meds it might take a couple of days/weeks/ even months but it always comes back and worse than before. Withstand the abuse given, this too shall pass in a couple of days, it’s for the best. Try and have them read before going to bed, it will tire the brain enough for them to fall asleep. 
 

It is not your fault:
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 Often you would feel or even get blamed that it is your fault. Please do not allow this feeling to get the best of you.  Your partner has this disease, it’s not you or something you have done, it comes from things that have happened to them years before you were even a thought. You might have been the trigger but it’s not your fault. 

Support:
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 There are many support groups which can assist you, always a good idea to join a support group as you can gain knowledge from each other.  Aways look at your local listings or speak to her psychologist or psychiatrist.

 https://turn2me.org/group-supports?gclid=Cj0KEQjw_qW9BRCcv-Xc5Jn-26gBEiQAM-JhQV7e0BgqvJcoaskqnnryI4iFbth_f5o7QAhz3Q8iY4aAqng8P8HAQ http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=peer_online_support_groups 

Knowledge is power!
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The  best way to understand and support your partner is to educate yourself.  There are a lot of information available on the net which explains this disorder , the symptoms, the treatment and what you can do to assist this .

Here you can find some useful information: 

http://www.healthline.com/health/could-it-be-bipolar-seven-signs-to-look-for
 http://www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-signs-and-symptoms.htm 

 www.sadag.org http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh582/crazymumzysa/1200x600_zpss5bhwf9w.jpg

**Don't forget to follow @connection!!** 
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