Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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heretic 03/07/2011

When you're dating someone, how do you tell them you have BP?

Is it easier to hide it for as long as possible?

I say hide it for as long as possible. After all, things might not work out anyway. But somehow that seems like the bummer way to go, Yet given the choices... I'm betting most people don't tell unless they have to.

I should add that BP has kept me from dating at all for long periods of time. And there have been very manic times when I should not have been dating but did anyway - lotsa bad memories there.

I really wonder, does dating ever work out for people with BP?

deleted_user 03/07/2011

I'm dating a man now, and he is a saint. He's been with me through one hospitalization, a lot of tears, some wild sex, he's with me despite the mood swings and loves me more passionately than any man has ever loved me.

I never thought I'd find someone like him. Like now, I'm having a horrible day, crying, snapping people's heads off (including his) and he just holds me and whispers that everything is gonna be ok.

deleted_user 03/07/2011

There is no hiding it with me - BP is part of who I am, ya get the wicked manic me whether you want or are expecting it or not. Does honesty pay off? For the most part yes as dont think I have ever been dumped or walked out on a relationship do to my BP and in truth if I have then fck em

deleted_user 03/07/2011

I am married now so dating worked for me. I didn't tell my husband that I was bipolar until we lived together. I had a pretty long period of relative stability so I didn't have trouble hiding it.

My husband didn't really even know what that meant. He saw me depressed, but didn't equate the two until I was hospitalized shortly after we were married.

I think that honesty is the best policy, BUT there's a time and place for honesty. I am glad that I waited to tell him and he accepted me the way that I am. Now, he is my biggest supporter.

LeeWatmough 03/07/2011

You can date with BP? j/k

I've never dated, but with the relationships I have had I told them up front and it was accepted. In my last relationship, I went through a bad episode of mania with the person (granted it was a LDR) and it was a bit much for them to take, but they still accepted that about me.

Anyone worth giving a damn about will accept it and deal with it as a part of who you are and love you for it, as far as I'm concerned.

sossie 03/07/2011

I think everybody has pretty much said what I would say, but just because you get honest with a person you are dating, doesn't mean you have to do that in the 2nd or 3rd or even 10th date.

If you start developing feelings, is when I would say something.

chilvr 03/07/2011

i don't date...relationships are just too much trouble. doesn't mean i wouldn't like a hug now and then...

deleted_user 03/09/2011

grandiose, where did u find yr good man? That is good news!

deleted_user 03/09/2011

I don't date, but that's just because I can't meet girls :(

ReginaPhalange 03/09/2011

I told my husband maybe 3 months into our relationship. He wasn't particularly bothered by it, but he also didn't quite understand until he saw my first episode.

deleted_user 03/09/2011

being that I have BP, I won't date & I sure as hell would never put this illness upon a child. By my choise, I chossed not to have a child. I adopted 2 baby brothers. they are productive adultds.
I chossed not to stress anyone. DAm mods, tempertantums ...

deleted_user 03/12/2011

I once disclosed to someone on my second date and they took a big time out to decide if they wanted to continue seeing me because of it. He eventually decided to keep going but it was a big slap in the face for me and the beginning of the end of our relationship.

irishwriter 03/12/2011

i told my man the first night we spent together and he was so understanding it bowled me over. the next time i told him about cutting and his response was to give me a committment ring. he understands that he can't cure me but is always there to hold me when i need it. i have never had this level of support and acceptance before. it is amazing and i cherish it and him. it makes such a difference to my life.

deleted_user 03/12/2011

NO I DONT UNDERSTAND EITHER

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