My husband's bipolar delusions are back

[dlk]

27. My Son is Bipolar - I Can Relate to Your Difficulties

I hope your husband is being seen by a licensed psychiatrist. A counselor or PhD therapist can't prescribe the Lithium or the psychiatric meds he requires and they often don't have the training or experience to adequately deal with serious psychiatric disorders such as Bipolar Disorder. Adding to the complication of the situation, often those with serious mental health issues don't like taking prescription psychiatric meds to begin with, and even when they agree to take them, as soon as they begin to feel a little better, think they don't really need them, and stop taking the prescription meds altogether. Some don't like the way the meds make them feel and use that as a reason not to take them. Since any slight change in a person's biochemistry can impact their Lithium balance, it's critical to have the patient's levels regularly checked with a blood test.

As you probably already know, Bipolar disorder is progressive and it is possible the stresses of the holiday season has brought on this episode. Depending on where you live, there may be a psychiatric hospital or clinic with available beds where he could be taken for an evaluation. Could you possibly contact his health insurance provider for assistance? Are there any local state or county mental health services that might provide assistance? Is he a veteran and eligible for VA services? My heart goes out to you because I know, firsthand, how incredibly difficult this type of situation can be.