Being bipolar doesn’t just affect one person, it affects the entire family. When someone you love is bipolar the best thing you can do is educate yourself. Once you start to understand the disease, as best you can, it’s a lot easier to help the person that you love. Not only do you want to understand in hopes of helping those you love but also to help yourself.  My fiancé has been through hell and back with me. There have been many of times that he has wanted to walk out the door but, he didn’t (thank God)! We have both educated ourselves and I truly believe that is why we have made it this far. Not only am I aware of my triggers but so is he. It’s a lot easier for him to deal with me if he understands what he’s dealing with. When I know it’s going to be a rough day or I had been a bad day I prepare him instead of lashing out on him. It’s no easy to be with someone that is “crazy” (I mean that in the best way possible :p). We are totally nuts, moody, sad, happy, mad, frustrated, agitated, angry, and then all the way back to happy again. We can take you on a ride daily. You never know what you’re going to get when you walk through that door. Educating yourself will make your life a lot easier… I promise!!! Here are some helpful links to help you in your “crazy” journey as well.How to help someone in crisis: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_helpingcrisis

Locate a support group in your area: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_findsupport

Bipolar Significant Others: http://www.bpso.org/

Bipolar Blog for loved ones “BPrayer” Healthy Boundaries: http://web.mac.com/pamrs/Bprayer/Healthy_Boundaries/Healthy_Boundaries.html

Setting Boundaries: http://www.finkshrink.com/blog/marriage/bipolar-disorder-setting-boundaries.html

Sanctuary (blog of a wife to a bipolar husband): http://getolife.com/sanctuary.aspx

 Bipolar Supporter Blog: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/bipolarsupporterblog/

Immediate Help: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=empower_professional_referral

General Info:

http://www.bipolarworld.net/Family&SOS/getting_help.htm

http://helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_family_friends_support.htm http://www.bpso.org/showinfo.php?topic=family