Marriage in Crisis
Stacy was diagnosed with manic depression when she was a teenager. She had battled this disorder, which is also often called bipolar disorder, for many years before she met and married her husband, Jack. Jack was aware of Stacy’s medical condition and had been supportive in helping her manage the disorder, through both good and difficult times.
As Stacy’s life became more complicated with career and family demands, the manic depression became more pronounced and she began to self medicate through a variety of sources after trying and discarding several prescribed medications.
After 14 years of marriage, Stacey was heading down a dangerous road with alcohol and marijuana. Though she desired most to be a good wife, parent and employee, the manic depression, unchecked, had clouded her judgment and decision-making skills. Jack felt he had no choice but to demand that they seek out counseling or he would take the children and leave.
The first thing their marriage counselor addressed were Stacy’s medications. The counselor knew that it would be difficult to manage the marriage of a person in the middle of a mental disease crisis, so Stacy was referred to a psychiatrist encouraged to attend a 12-step program.
After several months, the marriage counselor felt more confident in his ability to treat Stacy and Jack as a couple and address their marriage issues. It was important, however, for the immediate and personal needs of Stacy‘s disorder to be addressed first.
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