My husband has an appointment to see a pdoc - Family & Friends of the Mentally Ill Message Board

tamara29 · 05-22-2006, 09:44 PM

He wants me to go with him. The receptionist said this would be fine, but is it a good idea? We believe he may have bipolar. What will the first appointment be like? Is there anything we can do to prepare for it? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

BP_Puff&Stuff · 05-23-2006, 09:52 AM

It may be a good idea. You can attest to his mood swings and behaviors. The information that you can provide may be very helpful in determining IF and what KIND of Bipolar he has. It may be a rocky arena for the both of you so tread lightly but I think you have the potential of really helping your husband (as well as yourself) if you were to go. Be careful in that bipolar people tend to deny their behaviors so if you go in there talking about things that he has said or done that he does not recall, you could start a fight. That fight, though, could be very telling for the doctor. I say you should go.

Best of luck to you!

tamara29 · 05-23-2006, 01:38 PM

Yeah, when he's in one of his angry episodes, he doesn't see that he has anything wrong at all. Then, he comes down and is depressed, he knows he has a problem. I think that's one of the reasons he wants me to go is so that he won't be able to deny anything.

Another thing he does is that he thinks the world is out to get him. Does this sound like something someone with bipolar goes through?

beforeXdishonor · 05-23-2006, 06:02 PM

Paranoia can definatly come with the territory!
I've had times when I felt like people at work were conspiring with me. Alot of nights I think someone is going to break into the house, so I lay awake and listen for any noises I can possibly find.
Of course he may have different types of paranoia, but it definately works hand in hand with alot of cases of BP. Hope I helped you.

Lucky Penny · 05-23-2006, 07:10 PM

My dh definitely has a problem with paranoia. He's always convinced everyone is out to get him one way or another. And one of my best friends, who is bipolar, is certain that everyone is trying to make her life miserable. Paranoia seems to be pretty common.