It's been official for three weeks that my husband is Bipolar. He's on the starter pack for Lemictol and started on 100mg of Lithium just last week and it's going to be increased on Wednesday, hopefully.

Anyhow when my husband is in his manic phase he acts out sexually and with compulsive spending. So he's no longer allowed to carry credit cards or a debit card. Only cash.

Anyhow after each manic episode he's been very truthful of his actions and regrets doing them so much so that he threatens to kill himself. He's not cheated on me with another person, but he's come as close as you can get to doing that and I think that scares him.

Part of me wants to draw a line with him, tell him that should he cross it then we'll be out. But then part of me says "It's a chemical imbalance, how can I punish him for something he can't even control?" But I wonder if drawing a line would help him better think about the situations he gets himself into.

Anyhow his last manic episode was this last weekend so he's going to be getting in to see a psychologist as well as our marriage counseling which should help him calm down a bit.

Anyhow when he's on his proper dose will he be not having these manic episodes as often or at all? What do you all suggest about setting boundaries and what not? Should I get angry when he acts out? Will that help any?

It is an imbalance as the body does not produce the chemical needed any more . It takes time for the medication to be regulated. Lithium had too many side effects for my husband so he uses Respirdal now. Throughout the years the drug had to be changed. He gets immune to one and then all the anger,hate starts against the family. You can not go off the drug. As the doctor said,'Driving is not a right but a privilege.' My husband loves to drive the car.This does keep him from skipping meds as it can be noticed within 5 days and he knows the doctor can get his license taken away.