Bipolar Relationships

[SilentRage]

This might be a stupid question. But for those who have bipolar (like me) how are you able to have relationships. Me I have never been in one or in love, Just lust when those manic days hit and this cause me to try for a relationship for all the wrong reasons. So how are you able to do it.

[bp13]

I Honestly beleive from my experience and perhaps it is where I am from, but no course will have the answers to bipolar! For example "phtartist" you said you have the condition also and understand it but are trying to understand it for your sister in law?? I believe that once she has truly excepted the fact she has bipolar then she will want to really get help.
It is certainly a hard condition to except and I know myself that at times I question whether I really have this or not and as soon as I am I find myself going down a bad road again. I need to remind myself that and look at what is important and why I have been given this condition and how I can help others to help them selves. It is really hard to watch someone that your really care about in denial or out of control but you know what if your also suffering from this I suggest you make sure you are free from any stress and concentrate on being well and if this means you need to exclude her from family gatherings then so be it, I know I sound harsh ! I honestly believe when we are ready to be helped we can and will be helped.... I hope this helps anyone who feels that they are beating themselves against a brick wall. One of the hardest parts of living with Bipolar is you never know what mood you will wake up in and the constant brain overload, each day you take one step at a time and do the best you can, remind yourself that there is so much to live for and wouldn't it be rewarding to accomplish something even if it were to be minor. I woke up this morning and felt like ****, thought about staying in bed all day and felt if anyone was to bother me I would do something horrible, I talked to myself and went through what else I could do and came up with put the washing on, go for a walk with the dog and if the family wants to come then great if not I'm still going... Then I hit a brick wall then what do I do? Well I am choosing to not go back into bed and waste and give into this condition because I have two children who need me and you know what scares me a real lot??? That one day they may suffer from this condition and I won't be able to help them unless they are able to help themselves too... That will brake my heart and I possibly could go backwards myself. As you can see I ramble a lot but hey it helps me....

[Phtartist]

Where can I find this mini course.  I'm bi polar and understand myself but I have a sister in law who is bi polar, not on the correct meds and very destructful to people around her.  She lashes out in paranoia, reads and rips up the families mail, suffocates my brother who still loves her dearly, and has alienates her children who are all between the ages of 19 and 24 and leaving the home, gladly. Every holiday she ruins the occasion by causing a scene.  I had Christmas by my home last year and asked my Brother if he would see if she would like to stay home.  Thinking maybe it is too much for her, maybe that is why she looses it, EVERY TIME.  She was glad to, she prefers to be by herself.  I do to, but she more so because she refuses to see a dr. and get on anything but Zoloft.  

Sorry, Started to vent....This has been for 17 years, I miss who she was.  

[charlane1000]

my flatmate has bipolar she is very up and down each day can be very different,
at first when she told me she had it i hadnt a clue what it was and never really thought much about it,then she started to change from the person i new and seen many times before into a stranger right infront of my eyes.
then thats when i realised that i had to read up on this bipolar disorder if we were to remain friends and carry on living together,so i went on the net and read everything about it i could find,im also doing a mini coarse witch only takes up 5mins of my time eachday,im really glad i started this as i understand my friend more and more everyday and the more i understand then its not such a big deal it is and always will be a big or even the main thing in our 2 lives,
the way i look at it is she has this disorder its not her fault. i new her a long time before she told me she had it.
if anything its made us closer,ive still got alot more to find out about it but while i am finding out all i can do is be understanding and a bit patient at times,
because shes worth it and she dose give alot back to me in return when she can and i can see that.

[bp13]

Hi!
I have Bipolar also and fortunately for me I have a wonderful husband who has stood by through some pretty rough times.. I was first diagnosed when I had an episode and left him and soon after ended up in hospital... I have two beautiful children and I will never forget how it made them feel seeing me crazy and then ending up in hospital.  
I honestly believe you will one day meet the right person and they will love you for you. One thing you need to remember is that you are not "Bipolar" you are you!!! Bipolar is just a condition that you live with... and so you will live and share your life with someone one day and when the time is right.
One of our struggles is our intimacy, I don't have a sex drive, although I love him and want him and need him when it comes to it I feel tired and depressed and no energy which is weird because I really want to make love to him and often think about it but as I said doing it is just too hard....(I'm constantly thinking but I don't know what it is that I am thinking-go figure)  I'm attracted to him so I believe it is my condition (bipolar) so If anyone has an answer to that issue for me I would love to hear from them... Having Bipolar as part of your life is hard work but just like anything in your life you must work at it and never give up no matter what!!!!  My advice is to not tell someone that your interested in that you live with Bipolar and you make sure that you take your time and go slow and give a little bit more of yourself each time and when your ready, If the person really really likes you they will also live with you and Bipolar... I really feel for you and for everyone who lives with this condition may it be the person diagnosed or caring for. All I know is that we all need to talk about it more, support each other and ask lots of questions to truly understand this condition.
Take care xxx

[Marebears]

i agree with bulldozer! it does take a very special person 2 deal with us. my husband has stayed with me thru drug addiction, bi-polar, depression, and we meet when i was 6 months preg and all alone. let me put it to u  this way when u meet the right one, and he sticks around no matter what, at least u know he loves u 4 u! ok just take it slow =)
                                                                                        *mare~bear*

[Delusion]

It is possible to have relationships if you are bipolar or your partner is. Personally im only 19 so dont have decades of experience to speak of but over the last 5 years i have found it very hard to have any serious relationships. Bipolar doesnt just make you feel like **** it completely warps your perceptions and sense of reality and everything even your own thoughts seem to be going against you in every way.. you just need to remember things are slipping back.

If you feel like your worthless and wont ever have a relationship those thoughts will pass they always do with time, even if they come back they always pass. Have you ever told anyone you like that you are bipolar to see if they understand?