If these meds of his are working, he should be back to normal, more or less. And in any case, an episode usually only lasts a few months, then the person naturally is back to normal. So when that happens, hopefully he will see that his family has been manipulating him. Shame on them for intruding themselves into your marriage – that is a no no unless there is abuse going on. Hopefully, he is susceptible to this manipulation only because he has been impaired. If he is still willing to let them into your marriage when he improves, then I don’t see a lot of hope there.

Bipolar usually comes on in a person’s teens or 20′s, and often gets worse as they get older. So it is usually just a coincidence about all these events that may be going on in the teens and 20′s – that is when the disorder is ready to come out anyhow.

If he doesn’t want the marriage anymore, there is nothing you can do even if a big part of the problem is his illness. But clearly there are serious boundary issues with his family that I doubt have much to do with the bipolar. His family is supposed to keep out of his marriage, and if they try to butt in, he’s supposed to tell them (politely) to mind their own business. Even when I am really impaired, in the hospital, I would see my family was way out of line.

Good luck to you – I hope that with proper meds he will be able to see what is happening.

When I was in the hospital one time, I met someone on the inside. We began to exchange emails. Then I felt I had a friend who was on my side and not family. That "friend" was starting to become between me and my mom and husband and I almost lost my marriage. My new friend was not really a friend after all. I was fortunate to have my husband pull me to my senses.

I don’t know how, but this person needs to go. He is causing a dangerous environment for your husband.

I feel for you. I can tell you care and love him so much. Do what you feel is best.