Let's talk life: My wife is bipolar

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Contributor

Dear Counsellor,

My wife suffers from bipolar disorder and it is rather stressful for me. I would like to be better able to manage the situation.

- Morgan

Dear Morgan,

About one to two per cent of the population has bipolar disorder, and it affects both male and female. The key to the successful management of any illness is to follow instructions and guidelines, and be compliant with medication and office visits. Bipolar disorder is treated like any other condition. It can recur and the patient can deteriorate over time. When things are going well, your wife must continue the medication, but maybe at a lower dose. The greatest pitfall in managing this condition is stopping medication when all is well.

The other problem is watching the person develop a full-blown relapse. Sickness has to be nicked in the bud. Early detection and early intervention is the key to keeping your wife well. Both you and wife must see the necessity for medication and office visits. Smoking ganja can be a sign of relapse or a sign of disordered thinking. We don't encourage patients with mental illness to smoke ganja. Sometimes she might become religiose and you will need to determine if this is normal behaviour or a relapse

Bipolar disorder is manageable and you need to be educated about this condition.

I need help to manage my anger

Dear Counsellor,

I have a problem with anger. I get irritable easily and tend to find myself in disputes all the time. I need help.

- Adrian

Dear Adrian,

Anger management is key to relationships. You will need therapy to help you to cope. Anger is a normal emotion, but aggression is provoked because of perception. Sometimes we are sensitive to certain issues and have wrong perception about others. Our hot spots are trigger points, and we get angry when these points are touched.

You need to do an analysis of the issues that cause you to get irritated. Do you have a chip on your shoulder? Sometimes we have pet peeves and get annoyed easily. Are you overcompensating for some deficits that you have? As humans, we are not perfect, and when we compare ourselves to others, we will either feel inferior or superior depending on the circumstances.

Your irritability may be early signs of a mental illness. Are their other members of your family who have anger problem? If in normal situations you do get annoyed, resentful and irritated by other people, you need to practise deep breathing to release tension and irritability. Deep breathing will help you to relax and maintain self-control.

Self-control is very important as it helps us to contain ourselves and not commit illegal acts. Learning to blow off steam is important and we should practise every day. Some people are so sensitive that they tip over in the realm of paranoia. Are you suspicious and see threats to safety in all your interactions?

Do you believe in obeah or are you superstitious? Do you feel the need to be in control of others at all times?

Your level of aggression is rather high and needs to be evaluated.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.