Lynn and her husband, Bill, each wrote about their relationship for our Couples Series. 

Lynn 

I do almost everything on my own and find it hard to let people help me. What I have learned with this illness is that sometimes it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to let someone help you. You don’t have to do this alone or suffer alone. It is so much easier to get through life with support. My husband is my biggest supporter. He is patient when I have a meltdown. He knows the signs I have when I am pushing myself too much. He knows when to distract me with a funny joke or a T.V. comedy. He knows when I need extra sleep and takes over the bedtime routine for my son. 

I love that he knows me so well. I think that if it weren’t for my husband, I would run myself into the ground. My husband and I balance each other out very well which makes our relationship so awesome. I don’t know what I would do without him and am very blessed to call him my husband. 

Bill 

The important thing to remember when your spouse has a bipolar diagnosis is to always be there for them. Without your support, life can become very difficult and they can let the emotions overtake them. 

I believe the key is emotional support and seeing signs before they turn down a dark road.  When my wife is so focused on getting things done, she sometimes loses sight of when she needs to take a break. Emotional disconnect can occur at times when things are going against her and that’s when I take the time to hold her and let her de-stress.  The most important thing I can think of is to make sure she goes through a day and at least smiles and I get one good laugh out of her.  It’s all about mindset.

To read more from Lynn, see the rest of her posts for IBPF here, or check out her personal blog.