Oh yeah. I think a lot of us on here are dealing with bipolar or borderline personality disorder ex-wives. I know I am. And like you, I feel like I can always tell when her meds aren't working right or when she's on a manic cycle, because everything always becomes this giant sh*tstorm.

Hope the site helps you vent -- I know it has helped me!

UCSM

"No matter how cynical I get, it's never enough." - Lily Tomlin

Mine won't even admit she has it, let alone take meds!!! She told me she had been diagnosed, when she and H were still a couple and I think she forgot that she told me because she has started denying it. My mom is a counselor and says this is really common with Bipolar/BPDers and that they are incredibly difficult to treat because they won't admit they even have a problem, tend to miss appointments and tend to go off of medication. It sucks.

"If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they will kill you." ~Oscar Wilde

So many here are dealing with same situation. Of course, may be that some are just still bitter, angry and such---hard to tell at times. Our BM was diagnosed w/BPD and Bipolar back in the early 90's. Now she claims she was mis-diagnosed, when all she has is Diabetes? Huh? I work in the mental health field, and I have NEVER heard of that!!!! Diabetes vs BPD??? Please!

You can always tell her peaks and valleys, and even my 2SD know when it is not a time to "poke the bear" because she will take them out verbally. It is hard, but best thing is to set boundaries and not get sucked in to their game. One of our things we say in email when she goes off is "Whatever you have to tell yourself to get through the day BM" That seems to shut her off on that subject---of course the next tirade will come at some point.
Good luck and welcome

At least yours is on meds! Mine thinks she's a pillar of the community and mother of the year!
My bm has a borderline personality disorder and she is a peice of work. Venting here is great!!!

We actually have been thinking our BM is bipolar for a few months now. At first we just thought moody, flighty, and undecisive. But now we are thinking maybe there really is something wrong with her! (Funny my soon to be MIL asked us if we thought she was bipolar the other day) Does anyone know? Can you force OP to be tested for things like bipolar disease if it's in best interests for child's safety??

"Live well, Love much, Laugh often."

I've heard that it's super hard to prove but that's here in Canada. I'd talk to a family court or lawyer.

Welcome to the site. The ex-wife in my life is bpd/bi-polar, and boy has it been a ride. Someone else here referred me to the site www.bpdfamily.com and it has given me a lot of good information on some of the legal issues of divorce and custody with someone who is bpd/bp.

In the mean while this site is great for venting and getting some empathy on step parent issues!