I am in really need of help... I am 36 years old. I am married (2nd time) and I do not have children. I got married for the second time in 2002 full of hope. But, I feel my world is falling apart. My husband is Bipolar and we are having big problems at the moment. I so much want a family, but I fear that it is a dream that will not became a reality for me. I’m seriously considering divorce. He is becoming abusive and his drinking is on and off again ( a recipe for disaster). I love him dearly, but it's kind of difficult dealing with his issues when I have lots of my own (my ADD).



I will appreciate very much, if you can direct me to a forum where I can find help pertaining my case.



Sincerely,

I myself don't know where to direct you to go but I do know that there are lots of us here who do know.....



Welcome to your new Home Away From Home

All your new brothers and sisters will be glad to help you anyway we can.....


Read, Read, and Read some more, and when your ready, jump in and post away to the threads that interest you.


As I am very lazy when it comes to typing so I have created a welcome page and ADDed a link here to get you there

My Welcome Page (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3345)

Garry

I sent your private message....... ;)

I hope to hear from you

Welcome to ADD Forums Ana,

I'd like to direct your attention to the wonderful search function on the upper right of each page. My favorite is to go to advanced search and click on the show posts button.

here's the link to Forum's Bipolar threads http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=55
<HTTP: forumdisplay.php?s="&daysprune=&f=55" forums www.addforums.com>


The calendar link notes chat times and the bottom of each page as you scroll past the quick reply field are topics of similar interests that you might be interested in.

Read, research any words, topics, or questions that may interest you, and please POST!

Searching off-ADD Forums I've found the following quotes that might interest you:

"Bipolar disorder and alcoholism co–occur at higher than expected rates. That is, they co–occur more often than would be expected by chance and they co–occur more often than do alcoholism and unipolar depression."...

..."bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorders are far more likely to occur together (i.e., 6.2 times more likely) than would be expected by chance"

..."symptoms of bipolar disorder may emerge during the course of chronic alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. For example, alcohol withdrawal may trigger bipolar symptoms."

..."other studies have suggested that people with bipolar disorder may use alcohol during manic episodes in an attempt at self–medication, either to prolong their pleasurable state or to sedate the agitation of mania"

...(study of) "bipolar disorder in patients with and without a lifetime substance use disorder. They found that compared to non–substance abusers, substance–abusing bipolar patients were more likely to have frequent hospitalizations for affective symptoms, earlier onset of bipolar disorder, more rapid cycling, and more mixed mania (the latter two considered to be the most severe, treatment–resistant forms of bipolar disorder). "

..."This suggests that bipolar patients may use alcohol primarily as a means to medicate their affective symptoms, and if their bipolar symptoms are adequately treated, they are able to stop abusing alcohol. "

..."In conclusion, it appears that alcoholism may adversely affect the course and prognosis of bipolar disorder,
leading to more frequent hospitalizations. In addition, patients with more treatment–resistant symptoms (i.e., rapid cycling, mixed mania) are more likely to have comorbid alcoholism than patients with less severe bipolar symptoms.

..."Bipolar men, however, more often suffer from alcoholism--49 percent were classified as alcoholics."


If left untreated, alcohol dependence and withdrawal are likely to worsen mood symptoms, thereby forming
a vicious cycle of alcohol use and
mood instability. However, some data indicate that
with effective treatment of mood symptoms, patients with bipolar disorder can have remission of their alcoholism"

Sorry if post is too long I will send a PM to you with four links solely for family members of bipolar folks.