(to the support group)
re: Intro post, some history, and many thanks (long)
As my wife does not take medication we rely on behavior modification to handle the mood swings. This works so far and over the years she’s been more aware of how to see and modify thoughts that lead to a wild swing.
The only thing that makes this possible is her desire to change a process that doesn’t work. I pray your husband will get this desire in his heart and deep in his spirit.
I’ve found in my wife’s case that indulging the high part of the “upswing” and pandering to the bottom of the “downswing” amplifies the bad behavior pattern while acting as a brake during those times is helping to guide her. But it’s soo hard and many times I don’t have the patience so it’s a concious effort on my part here too.
I think the most frustrating thing is being called either “boring” or “too lighthearted” depending on her perception of me when I’m simply maintaining a neutral state. I think sometimes she simply can’t remember how she felt about me on a prior mood swing from one time to the next. Maybe it’s like looking at those red/blue 3D glasses with one eye or the other and trying to sort things out, I can only guess.
I don’t know if any of my rambling helps, I try not to give advice but I do share what works and what doesn’t for us. Please know though that my heart goes out to you and your family.