While this article was more about marriage than about the ins and outs of parenting, it's still nice to see articles that openly acknowledge issues many individuals, couples and families deal with. About the only "expert" advice I'm open to is that by those with lived experience. So, I'll always be open to hearing what others have learned in their living with stuff journey. Here are some excepts from this article written by Maggie Ethridge.
One year into our marriage, my husband was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder. I began scouring the internet for studies, groups, information, and support. I knew we were in for a ride, because I also have my own struggles with PTSD and generalized anxiety. The prospect of two adults with two very separate and different mental health issues raising children together felt daunting.
After spending hours online, I was disappointed to find scant information on how to make a marriage work with these challenges. Even more disappointing, the chatrooms and message boards for spouses of those with bipolar disorder were full of worse-case scenarios. Surely some people made it work, I thought. But how?
Years later, I can’t say we found the way, because our ways have been deeply imperfect, painful, messy, and certainly not definitive. We have found some ways that allow us to cope the best we can with our respective challenges in mood and cognition while keeping love, respect, and even tenderness alive during the toughest of times. Over nearly fifteen years, my husband has taken care of me through a few horrific panic loops, the latest of which I ended up hospitalized for 24 hours at our local public psychiatric ward. And I have waited for him through some of his tremendous lows. We have stayed best friends and lovers throughout.
Here are six ways we’ve made it work: Full article.
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