Hello,

I will try to take time to view the forums here for answers but I'm hoping I can explain my situation a bit and get some help. I have been married for 12 years and have had many struggles during that time with my wife. Given the way there were extended mood swings where things were just awful, then there would be a longer period of time where things seemed just fine, I became convinced there was a condition my wife was batteling, and without fully knowing what it really meant I kept thinking this was "Manic Depressive".

I read about it at Wikipedia and a few other places and I have no doubt that my wife has bipolar disorder. Of the symptoms I read there were only a few that didn't match, but even then I wasn't sure. I am not sure if she has struggled with thoughts of suicide, but I don't know for sure.

My wife has also struggled with bulimia and I have also read there can be a connection between the two.

Up front I will tell you that her number one struggle seems to be what I would call having delusional thoughts. Most often she will see someone look at her, and this turns into what they must be thinking, and then it turns into that they are talking about her behind her back, she knows exactly what, yet has absolutely no proof. So often the facts will come in and refute her feelings, but even then it is hard for her to dismiss the "facts" she has built into her mind.

In truth I think she would rather have her convictions to be true, as awful as they are, then to admit she didn't "hear" right.

Two months ago my wife stopped talking to me. I couldn't figure out why. I probed and thought and did everything I could but could not figure it out. I can only guess but I hate doing that. She wouldn't talk to me or tell me why. Finally in total frustration I pleaded with her to tell me and all she said is "I don't trust you". That was it, not another word. It is now 2 months and still no clue as to what I did.

To approach her and tell her I think she has bipolar disorder and needs to seek some advice from a doctor would be so unthinkable, it would be devestating. Though I'm sure its right I can tell you that would probably push the marriage over the end. We have 3 young kids and I will not allow anything to destroy our family, even with all the pain I experience daily I will stay with her, it is much better than the alternative. Plus that is where my convictions are.

I will stop here and say quite truthfully I need help. I have never shared with anyone that I think she has this disease, since talking about her to friends or family would not be wise.

What do I do? Could I be wrong? I should also say she seems to have about 2 to 4 episodes of this per year and different lengths of time, but this one has been roughly 2 months.

Thank-you.