Haverhill Public Library

Healing the stormy marriage, hope and help for you when your loved one has mental health or addiction issues, R. Christian Bohlen, Helen M. Bohlen

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 176-184)

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

Healing the stormy marriage

bibliography

1246502545

R. Christian Bohlen, Helen M. Bohlen

hope and help for you when your loved one has mental health or addiction issues

Christian and Helen Bohlen's mental illnesses nearly destroyed their marriage, but they found a way to have a happy relationship after all. They detail their struggles in this invaluable resource for couples coping with mental, emotional, and/or addiction issues. When Christian married Helen, he dreamed of "doing great things with a loving companion at [his] side." The reality hardly matched his dreams. Doctors diagnosed Helen with "borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder." Her nonsensical outbursts, hours-long tirades, and despondent episodes hijacked the couple's life every few days. Christian, who suffers from bipolar II disorder, knew he had to find a way to protect himself and care for the woman he loved, and sought help through prayer, Bible study, proper medications, therapy, and patience. Happily married after 35 years, the Bohlens view their "gut-wrenching experiences" as God's tools for making them both more "Christlike" and hope to encourage others to seek God first in their marriage decisions. This well-written, insightful book is primarily intended for readers whose spouses suffer from mental illness