Hello
Hello my name is Jeff. I was diagnosed as bipolar II disorder and depressed mood disorder. Until about three weeks ago I typically just had issues with periodic depression or seasonal depression in the winter time. However I’m trying to understand some of the recent moods and anxiety that I have felt due to stress in my marriage. I have never been a jealous or suspicious person yet now I have found myself becoming extremely anxious and I have racing thoughts when my wife goes out to meet friends. This started nearly 3 weeks ago and I am very concerned that I cannot get it under control. In addition to the two previous issues/diagnoses my family history has dealt with Louis body dementia and general dementia with Parkinson’s. Primarily it has affected the males on my fathers side of the family. I have recently come to a realization that my father was undiagnosed as bipolar II due to the dramatic mood swings he would have. I am trying to hold things together to not lose control. I have tried talking to my wife about this and my concerns while also trying to calm my anxieties over my marriage by changing some of my behavior and interactions with her as previously I was told I seem to be very apathetic or did not care what she did or where she went. I am now told that IM smothering her and causing her anxiety and stress because of this. I am at a loss as to find a happy medium between apathy and smothering/caring. Any thoughts suggestions or words of wisdom would be Welcomed 
hello im sorry to hearthat
@courageousMoley51 ….. I myself have recently been diagnosed bipolar II, after 30+ years of everyone assuming I just had anxiety, depression, or “was miserable and moody”. Hearing the inital DX sucked, still dealing with it, but eventually I’m going to have to accept it and learn to deal. I have also learned that people don’t want to really hear about how you feel or what you are going through, unless that person is a partner, spouse, or family member. If your wife is aware of your diagnosis, and you two have a long history together, then she needs to respect your emotions right now and understand that there are certain things you cannot control. Your feelings and thoughts are valid, and deserve to be heard and dealt with. I advise not to sit your wife down and speak with her about how you really feel while you are in the middle of an episode or hyper state. This will only cause a negative outcome, and unfortunately for people “like us”, our brains move faster then our mouths and sometimes things come out that we cannot take back while in fits of anger or mania. Wait until YOU are ready and comfortable, make yourself a plan and even write down key notes you want to address before speaking with her, address your hardest issues first, which will help you in addressing anything after that much easier. If at that point she is still not receptive and just sees you as being clingy or needy, you may need to re evaluate your life path , maybe try couples counseling, suggest date nights, but the effort needs to be double sided. And both of you also need to want to make this work and last. Always know that you deserve validation, respect, and consideration, and never accept any less. Xo