husband newly diagnosed and moved out

[oregonmomof6]

My husband moved out a week after he was diagnosed.  Now he texts me or emails me daily to let me know he is alive (only because I begged him).  He is seeing a psych nurse practitioner and began taking Abilify last week.  He has had one day of elevated mood, although I feel it was manic and not "normal".  He is drinking while taking the meds, even though he does not he is not supposed to.  He has asked his psych to share no info with me.  He has made it very clear that he does not want me involved in his treatment.  He cancels appointments and I don't see him really "working on things".  Does anyone have a suggetion?  I really want him to enter an impatient program at our local hospital.  He says he knows he should and knows it would be faster, but he HAS to do this on his own.  He has feelings of guilt, shame and hopelessness.  he is still working though.

[Phyllis]

it's a tough call. the best thing you can do, is just be there for him. he will have to take the initiative to go through treatment and stay with it. it is very difficult, because most of us with BP think we are normal when we are not. many are also in denial. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom to know that we have to take our treatment seriously.

[Ashes]

This must be tough for you but I agree with Phyllis.  He has to want to help himself for any progress to be made and try to be as supportive as possible.  I have noticed that it is hard to think of others when I am dealing with the worst parts of my illness even just a phone call a day is enough to make me shut people out.  Maybe a start could be suggesting outpatient therapy.  I don't know how server his symptoms are but maybe that can help along with the proper treatment. 
From my own experience I will tell you I am alone.  I do not have a relationship for a number of reasons.  I stay depressed so much I don't even want to interact with others, I can not tolerate feelings of obligations and I feel terribly guilty for putting others through my hell I think its unfair.  It is possible that he is having some of those feelings.  Best of Luck

[spongebobfan]

I was diagnosed last year and my closest friends were the reason i agreed to get help. They were there for me from the start and they were so supportive but never pushed me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. However in the end it took my doctor insisting that I get admitted before I went for inpatient help. I can't imagine how hard it is for you to watch your hubby go through such a challenging time but just being there and supporting him is such a wonderful gift for him. Because being the support person for a Bipolar spouse or friend is so stressful don't be afraid to seek some support for yourself.  I wish you the best of luck and hope things start to get a little easier for you both!