I moved your topic to the relationship forum. It fits there better since you are asking about a relationship. It would help if I knew your age, when you were diagnosed, med profile, and compliance with treatment.
Since I do not know many things I can only focus on the obvious. You say you are bipolar. I believe you were not taking medication when things got out of control. Was this on purpose? Do you have a treating Dr? The first thing you need to think about is YOU. For a relationship to work you know that you need to be helping yourself remain as healthy and stable as possible. No street drugs or alcohol either, it makes the mood swings much worse. Bipolar is nothing to be ashamed about. It is a very broad category. In fact we refer to it as a spectrum because it is so broad. There are close to 50 different bipolar varieties in the DSMIV. It doesn't even mention juvenile bipolar. If you struggled with this problem for some time then you know what you need and what you do not need. You also know that stress can make everything 100 times worse. Bi-polars are usually smart, passionate people. I suspect he knows this and does not want to lose you. But, only you can assure that you do not lose yourself. So, before anything get yourself stable and make sure you discuss this with your Dr. He may be putting pressure on you but ignore it and let him know you must be healthy to enter a relationship. If it is love and not infatuation or passion he will understand and be helpful. If he just is interested in sex, write him off. He could never understand what you live with and what you go through each day.
Butterfly: I am off to one of my offices now, but will get to this either this afternoon or early PM. I have worked with many bipolars in my 30+ years of practice and was even in a relationship at one time. It's workable......be patient.
Hi Dr. Fava. I have been in a relationship for 8 months and we had no problems until my bipolar became unmanageable. HE got a job in houston and was going to make enough so I could take time off to get on medication and get my life under control. Last week i threatened suicide and it was all he could take. I've gotten help and am living at home with my mother. Weve talked everyday since I left and he tells me he still loves me, and still wants me the way he always has. He says he still wants to take me with him but he'll be traveling alot and doesnt think i'll have the support I need. He wants me to come visit as soon as I'm better and he says he wants us to be together again but cant make any promises . I'm so confused most relationships end because theres no love left but we still love eachother so much how do i move on?
I am off to one of my offices now, but will get to this either this afternoon or early PM. I have worked with many bipolars in my 30+ years of practice and was even in a relationship at one time. It's workable......be patient.
