I had a bf that couldn't handle my bp, but then I found my hubby. he was great about it. He doesn't understand it, but he accepts it and helps me regardless. There is someone else out there that will accept you for who you are... keep looking...

Alice

I think we provide our own best support. We take our meds properly, eat a healthy diet and get proper rest.
That doesn't always keep things running smoothly, but it helps. Other people may be able to handle us or maybe not. As long as we're doing the best we can then we have no control over what others can take. Sometimes we have to let go and try again.

BEEN WHERE YOU ARE A COUPLE TIMES IN MY LIFE...MABE IT WOULD BE BEST TO TAKE A BREAK...YOU NEED SOMEONE THAT UNDERSTANDS YOUR BP AND IS WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AND PROVIDE YOU SUPPORT...
GOOD LUCK DUDE...I'M SURE IT WILL ALL WORK OUT...

Sorry you're going through this right now. Contact NAMI (nami.org) and see if there are any bipolar support groups in your area. I hope your GF will do the same so she can learn about your illness. Good luck.

Hi. Thank you all very much for your help. Me and my girlfriend have broken up now, but I am having trouble with the breakup. I have felt incomplete lately, which has led me to other feelings. I now feel as though life is pointless. I feel that all we do is make life harder for other people. Even when we aren't intentionally harming other people, we are still leaving behind a bigger mess for people to deal with later in life. What I mean by that is, by not contributing anything, we are only using resources other people could use. For the people who do contribute anything to the world, does it outweigh the resources we use up? If we only break even at the end of our lives, if there any point to live it in the first place? Please help me. I am very confused and lost.

Have you got a pdoc you can talk to?

Sorry to hear about the breakup with your GF. I know it feels like hell right now, but it will get better over time. Trust me. You are very young still and there will be others in your life. I think you are very intelligent and sensitive and I hate to see you question your worthiness. You were born. You exist. You matter. Good luck to you!

I don't know about anyone else, but in terms of relationships even relationships with family members--there are times when I am putting so much energy into trying to be "okay" for the other person or trying to make the relationship wonderful for the other person that I don't have any energy left to take care of me If I am not taking care of me, then chances are nobody is and I inevitably end up struggling even harder which makes it nearly impossible to maintain a relationship.

When you are bipolar I think you have to be selfish sometimes. We shouldn't have to take responsibility for everyone's feelings--I don't know why but too often we are more than willing to accept the blame and shame.

Focus on taking care of you first; after all the first thing you wrote was "I have not been doing a good job handling my disorder." Obviously you know what your first priority should be--you. Support is necessary and it is wonderful when we have it~~still we have to stand on our own two feet whether we are standing in a stadium surrounded by friends or standing down on the field alone.

Hugs and good wishes for you.

This probably isn't one of the most supportive responses you'll get but I wanted to let you know I read last night that for someone with BP, getting over a loss or the grieving process is especially difficult and usually takes a bit longer. Don't know why I'm telling you that but your post just reminded me of it.

I've been where you are years ago ... it's not a nice feeling losing someone special.

Hang in there. It's normal for you to be feeling a bit incomplete.

I want to say DITTO to what Tigerlily said, being Bipolar and having relationships wether it be with family, friends or partner, can sometimes be very consuming, always feeling like you have to be something your not.I know you miss your girlfriend and I'm sorry about the break-up , but now you can focus on yourself, and be a little selfish, and work on a recovery plan.