look girl get over yourself lt him live life ok geez!!!

look, when you learn to spell come back. I only want to know the rough life expectancy of someone with BP, if its any different to people without BP...No need to be stroppy

Hi there.

I used to disagree with the statistics.

Here is one I just came across...

"Studies have shown that 25 to 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder (manic depression) attempt suicide. "

I used to disagree with that...thinking the statistics were skewed somehow...and then I tried to kill myself last November.

So there ya go.

I think it largely would depend on getting the proper treatment and sticking with it (which can be very difficult). It also depends on how severe the case is.

If you have questions about bipolar disorder, why not ask your fiance if you can speak with his psychiatrist about it? Write down a list of questions and take them to the meeting. Your fiance can be there or not, depending on what you two and his doctor decides. If your fiance isn't there, however, his doctor won't be able to give you specifics about your fiance's case (without his permission), but you can ask general and hypothetical questions.

Also, you may want to look into a support group for people with family members and friends with BP. They will understand the ups and downs. It may keep you from being overwhelmed. It is really great that your fiance found a patient person who loves him.

My daughter is bi-polar and now in her thirties. I agree that suicide can change the average age but that can be factored for anyone with any type of unpleasant diagnosis from parkinson's to cancer. when we lose hope we choose darkness. If treated and willing to rely on their support system to keep them afloat, people with bi-polar can function fairly normally. It is us support people who have to watch for the triggers and unexpected changes. But as long as we react with the love and support that you are showing they can get through those moments until they are rebalanced with their medications and generally maintain a fairly normal life.

It's a crap shoot,it all depends on if someone with bipolar disorder like me takes their medication and doesn't commit suicide as I have given a try at several times. The other factors are in the medications,some of them create their own health problems including excessive weight gain,chemical imbalance control which effect the bodily chemical balance. I wonder why you ask this question,is it the need to either support him or leave him to find someone with a longer life expectancy.Either way if I were you I would do some soul searching and do what is in your own best interest,don't stay because of guilt.

The average female with bipolar disorder with an onset at age 25 will lose, on average, 9 years in life expectancy, 14 years of lost productivity and 12 years of normal health compared with normal controls (US DHEW, 1979). This is in addition to the risk of suicide