Many people stay with their spouses who have a diagnosis of bipolar or manic depression, as some know the name. I am not one of those people. I tried far too long because I believed in the vows I took.I walked away after many years of trying to defend myself. I tried to stick it out but after dealing with this bipolar mental illness of his for too many years, I simply gave up. I realized just how much life had passed me by because I had sat home for those years waiting on the good days, and then I got mad. With my anger came the strength to make the final break so the kids and I could live a normal healthy life.