All I can say is that if your ex will let you, be a friend to him. Maybe he will see that not all women are bad. He may never date you again, but if you can be friends, it may help him. If you really love him, be there even if he finds someone else. It is hard, but it can be done - I did it with a past man and now I am with a great man, (still friends with the old one who is now married to someone else). We support each other, and my current boyfriend has no problem with it. I know that this is a sticky situation, but leave it in God's hands and pray for your ex. It will be ok.

I have been in therapy for 15 yrs. I know most people aren't in that long, but I decided early on that I was stuck with this illness and might need my psychologist for the rest of my life. He has helped me through all the yrs of meds not working, problems with my husband, of course my BP, and now he is a great support to me.There were times when I would get into denial and think I wasn'tBP and he would help me see that I really was, before I did something stupid like stopping all my meds. I've also seen my psychiatrist for 14 yrs.

I'm a great believer in having total empathy with someone who dispenses Counselling. I think it is better if the Counsellor has first-hand experience of mental health.

Unfortunately most Counsellors just know the theory and have text-book answers (if any).

Traffic..you strike me as someone who needs to drop the 'tude & get a good therapist..emphasis on 'good'.
You do not, in fact, 'know it all'. Hey, what's to lose? Might even help you..though it might be hard to find therapist willing to be bombarded with oblique youtube references ;)

Seriously, though. Professional navel gazing- made for your kind.

hey, whatever the 'truth' may be- he's your ex & this is his therapy, attempt to find meaning or whatever.

Maybe he has a valid concern about his history with women..you can have other issues as well as the BP thing.

Find this post kinda reductive, condescending towards ex. Surely the therapist would be aware of mood disorder? *shrug*

Get a life Colonist.

Just because someone has a degree in medicine does NOT make them an expert.

Any GOOD Doctor will tell you that (except in Oz, as they have Wizards there).

that's the point - a 'good' therapist..not necessarily a 'doctor'...evidently profession that ia an object of some ire with you.

BTW I'm the last person to toot horn of entire medical profession, sheesh...never mind.

You don't seem to have mastered the 'listening' thing..point missed..by light years.

As long as you're smug in your certainty that you've got it all worked out. *sigh*

Tell him to follow the yellow brick road and everyone lives happily ever after.

I don't empathise with Colonists.

Uh...let's see...you're British?? & you're calling me a 'colonist'? Pray tell, how does that work????

My ancestor was sent here as a female convict (very, very, very young) for sleeping with a married man..or would that be rape?
She went on to marrying Governor (family tree full of bizarro unlikely stories) & being a very early 'independent' gal with own business etc, education. Am proud of my 'Australian Royalty' lineage ;) ie/convict past.

Last I peeked around this planet...it was still overrun with stuffed shirt ex-pat olde worlde UK colonists scattered about, doing their mischief, as per. Ie/ like when they colonied the already populated Australia.

What's your intended point?

How long have you felt this way ?

bu-bye...won't make half hearted effort anymore. Night.

Come back when your feeling better.

To answer your two questions.......I think for long term care of bipolar disorder, a good therapist experienced with BP is very important to helping us work through manifestations of the disorder.

Any time is a good time to seek help for this "demon" in our life but the sooner the better as it has a way of destroying us in ways we dont realize.

Ask yourself what your priority is with him at this point in your relationship. Is it his well being or is it your concern over him blaming you for things you dont think you are guilty of? Answering this question will help you determine how far you should go with encouraging him to seek proper help.

If at any time, conversations with him about it are causing arguments, then its time for you to back away. Let him work through his issues and at some point he will discover the true cause for the pain in his life. You have to take care of you. You can encourage and support in a kindly way but dont allow it to become your main priority in life. Move on and make a life for you.