Helenius
Dear Beth: I have suffered from (unipolar) depression for most of my life. Four years ago, I was hospitalized for 10 days then entered a partial hospitalization program for four weeks. My days were spent at the Carrier Clinic and my nights were spent at home. I also saw my private therapist once a week. This worked well for me because I lived alone and would have been by myself most of the time. It was crucial for my recovery that I had regular contact with others yet I was too sick to return to work. The partial hospitalization program provided this for me. Although the program was beneficial, it took a large chunk out of my mental health benefits. I would strongly urge you to re-check your husband's mental health benefits before he "signs up". Since many mental health policies (unfairly, in my opinion) set annual and lifetime limits, it is very important to use those benefits wisely. Perhaps your husband would benefit more from individual therapy? I would ask the advice of your husband's psychiatrist. I'm also wondering if your husband's meds. are working the best that they could? I had to try more than 15 different drugs in different combinations before my Dr. and I found the right "drug cocktail". This is extremely frustrating but persistance often pays off. Having said all of this, what's most important is that your husband gets treatment for his bipolar disorder. Good luck! H. p.s. many states have support groups for families of persons suffering from bipolar disorder