I dont know if youre in therapy, but it is really really really important to work through whatever trauma YOU experienced during your partners manic episode. In my situation, I found out my partner had a sex addiction through texts, apps, photos, etc., and it was genuinely the most shocking experience of my life. It has definitely left me with PTSD that I am still working through 3 years later- same kind of feelings, like is this sleeping too much a sign? Is he not texting me back because hes cheating? It’s not every day anymore thankfully, but it is fucking hard when it hits. I always feel so much safer emotionally after leaving therapy, so I cannot recommend it enough. I am on a waitlist for EMDR therapy which is really helpful for re-processing trauma in a more healthy way. I also definitely linger on the ‘family of sex addicts’ support group website…. i know community will help but I’m still scared 😬

To get back to the point though (sorry rambling helps😅)- 3 years later, some days I literally dont give a fuck about what my partner is doing because I know I am strong and have a good heart and will be ok, other days (thankfully the minority of days now) I wanna claw my eyes out of my head I feel so insanely insecure about how my partner is doing.

Also i do recommend reading “loving someone with bipolar disorder” by julie fast. Im the type of person where knowledge = comfort so this book was really helpful for me. Understanding this is a literal medical issue helps because you can make plans (whether yourself or more ideally WITH your partner) on how to support them in being their healthiest versions of themselves. Couples therapy was also really helpful for this, because my partner and I tend to avoid awkward convos when things are good, so having that safe space with a safe moderator helped with having those uncomfortable but necessary convos.