we are in the final stages of the marriage (too much insanity to deal with). he took an ambien at 10:00 am before meeting me and my son for breakfast, came in stoned (waiter had to drive him home). i don't have access to his doctor (hippa laws, etc.). he is also having weird dreams at night (he's not sure if he's awake looking for his gun or dreaming that he's looking for his gun). i sometimes sleep with my door locked (we sleep in separate rooms). he also obsesses over food and flavored water (always thinks someone is drinking "his" water). bottom line: meds aren't helping. is there anything i can do to help this man?
Answer:
My hubby is bipolar and it's a constant struggle. What medications is your husband taking? I hope Ambien isn't all. I would ask why he took an Ambien in the day, but after living with a bipolar husband for all these years, I realize that there's probably no explanation for his actions.
A few things that might help:
1. If you are in the final stages of your marriage anyway, separate from him if you can. Either get him out of the house or get yourself and your child(ren) out of the house.
2. You can call his counselor or doctor and talk to them. Tell them just to listen. They aren't breaking HIPAA laws if they don't tell you anything. Just preface your statement by saying that you are aware of patient privacy laws but you must tell them something about your husband that pertains to his safety and medical care. You can also call and have your hubby committed for a 72 hour observation period.
3. If the Ambien is not his prescription, lock it up or get rid of it. Keep all drugs that aren't his away from him. If he is on meds, make sure you have an alarm clock set to remind him to take his meds at the same time every day. I have a friend who had REALLY strange and violent dreams on Ambien. I take it and have no problem, but I have really strange dreams when I take Trazadone. My husband has had luck with Rozeram. It helps you get to REM sleep.
4. If he's obsessing over his food and water, he sounds like he is dealing with paranoia. Is he doing illegal drugs? If so, this could be contributing to the mental breakdown he seems to be experiencing. Reassure him that even though things aren't good between you, you would never do anything to hurt him.
I think it's time you get yourself out of this sinking ship of a relationship and call whoever you can to get your hubby help. He needs to be seeing a professional and having his medication adjusted and monitored.
Good luck! :)
take him off druggie and go rehab
Unfortunate. But nothing you can do.
It doesn't sound like it.
If you still care about him at all, you should maybe see about having him declared mentally unstable or clinically insane, and get power of attorney over him.
Considering what you've told me, it doesn't sound like it would be that hard to do.
Then you would be able to force him into treatment.
It's up to you.
My first thought, are you safe staying?
It appears he needs inpatient psychiatric help. The ambien during the day is a red flag.
Is involuntary commitment an option?
go with him to the fam doc or to the ER and let them know what is going on. Perhaps he needs a short stay in hospital to get the right meds. Bipolar does not mean he has to have delusions or be scary; if he is on proper treatment. The over whelming majority are help positively with proper meds and consistent follow up. You need to do this for your son and for yourself AND for him. I think it is terrible that he has not received the proper treatment. If he does not go for treatment then I suggest you get yourself to the family doctor and tell him what is going on and that you need help. It is the responsibility of the family doctor to treat the entire family. A therapist/doctor needs to explain to him that to keep proper family attachments you must commit to proper treatment and medication. I don't believe meds aren't helping. I believe he is not on the proper meds and doseage.
Sounds like he's manic and possibly psychotic (paranoid). It is not unususal for people with a BP illness to abuse drugs to rid themselves of the symptoms. Ambien is a hypmotic used as a sleep aide. He is abusing Ambien he is using it during the day.
If he is suicidal or doing that poorly (and may well be), call someone (mobile crisis intervention) so that he can be hospitalized and stabilized on meds. Meds will work if he is on the right ones or has the right diagnosis. You can also call his doctor and tell him how he is - he can call your husband or guide you.
Best wishes
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