Hey guys!

My girlfriend’s parents tragically passed away last year which together with a tough university degree led to a burnout and depression this fall. She has since been trying out different medication, namely escitalopráme, mirtazapine and now quetiapine. 

The got better from the mirtazapine just before Christmas and has been much better since, what a relief I said to myself not knowing that it could be due to a potential hypomania. Over the last two weeks I’ve been noticing that she’s had more energy (she’s usually a calm introvert person), is easily irritated, gotten lots of creative ideas and did some light shopping (she rarely buys stuff), thankfully not much but she still bought some stuff / decor. Her sisters have noticed her slight shift in behaviour as well and we talked about it yesterday.

And here I am. I’m planning a proposal in the coming year as I truly love her and we’ve been together for about 6 years, but this whole situation made my so nervous as a SO. During marriage you say, in sickness and in health, and I truly always want to be there for her.

My questions to you are:

\* Is it possible to have a “normal” life with a bipolar partner that is 100% on meds? 

I really want to have a happy and loving household with kids down the line. My biggest fear is her leaving me due to a mania and letting me raise the kids alone. Also finding a new partner at 40-50 isn’t the most encouraging idea. 

\* Does bipolar get worse with age if on meds? If she’s going to have depressions like this fall and slight hypomania like she had on the meds now, we’ll going be 150% fine. My biggest worry is that it’s going to get much worse and that I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.

Thank you so much for reading. I look forward for your answers. As I said, I love her and we’re a perfect match. I’m not even still sure it’s bipolar as she’ll be diagnosed / fill in papers etc this week. Could hypomania even happen due to meds without it being due to an underlying bipolar disorder? Let’s hope.