Going from the Manic Episode to Depression - Please help me udnerstand

 Some of you have helped me a lot with my situation.

  My husband was diagnosed 3 months ago w Bipolar Disorder after tying to commit suicide. Has been on Depakote for 2 months and Risperdol for 1 month.

    Up until 3 weeks ago he was still very psychotic. Very Paranoid. mostly about me, I became he only problem and his worst 'enemy'.

     But now for the first time his family and I can see some improvement. It's very tiny, very gradual, but for about 2 weeks now his mood changed. He is less 'angry' with me and the last time he said something hurtful he actually went back and apologized.

     But here is what I see now. He seems to be depressed, maybe regretful, but overall very sad. And for the first time in 3 months he is finally reaching out to at least one person in the family , his father (up until now he wouldn't talk to anyone in the family about his feeling).

    I would like to know from people's experience (if you could share of course) how does this phase of being Depressed after a really bad Manic Episode feels like?

    What can our family do to help?

    Do we just keep doing what we've been doing for 3 months, patience, listening and very little talking back to him?

     thank you so much for any feedback you may have.

     Vanessa