When I was diagnosed with bp,my wife left me and which made me go and stay with my sister.If my wife would have not left me,I would be feeling much better today.I showed her in many ways how I loved her.
Kevin

I wouldn't say that what I've lost is because of the bipolar, but rather my reaction to it. Choices I made regarding my health, medication and actions are what I would say made me stumble.

i often have felt that way for along time being bi polar, i thought it was safer to just be alone or end a relationship all together. i think that sometimes i will just damage it by the way my moods go out of wack all the time. Eventually it will take it's tole and then the guy would run, at least that is what I have led myself to believe. i have a great guy right now and were having a baby, and basicelly he is the only one in along time that i been able to give a chance. I still sometimes feel that i will shatter my relationship with him....i find myself very self distructive to my emotions and i am distructive to my relationships often as well

My marriage was unhealthy and abusive anyway, but I was not diagnosed until much later. I have lost my oldest son to suicide, and probably BP, but he didn't get a diagnosis. It is looking like at least two of my three remaining children also have it. The alcoholic family refuses to even try to grasp any of them are seriously depressed, not to mention bipolar. They have not a little tiny clue what it means to be more than just a little depressed. Just, get up and do something, they say. ummmm.....

My father was also bp. Without that in our family, and the abuse and alcoholism that went with it, I can't imagine what the potential of having a relatively healthy, happy, normal family life would have been like.

Yes...I have left relationships on account of my BP hassles a couple of times..nothing left to give situations..it is bloody hard.

It would be easy to blame my drunken mania and a big fight I had with my last relationship on it's end but it was coming apart before that. The manic episode was just the straw that broke the camel's back. It's hard to say if bp really got in the way. He was most likely undx bp 2 himself. There was a reason we were drawn to each other. In the end I would say no. Bipolar did not end my relationship. But I knew a bipolar guy who used it as an excuse to break up with me, before I was dx. I think he was just "pleading insanity". He wanted an excuse. I've never used it as an excuse to end a relationship. And I don't think it has ever been the main reason for the failure of relationships either.

No. We are still together and will remain so! (undergoing marriage counselling right now) It takes huge effort and committment and love, of course. It's not easy being reasonably new to bp and meds and life after hosp. The trauma of it all shook us up so much. I was often talking of seperation 'cause we weren't happy but now that we mutually pro-active makes all the difference.
Good luck to you on your journey colella....and everyone of you, whatever your situation.

my relationship did end because of it and not really. the end was when he cheated on me. but i understand why he did, the damage of my bp had already taken its toll on us. he didnt feel he could talk to me and frankly i couldnt give two whatevers what he was feeling. i was healing and realized that i was attracted to him for reasons that werent healthy. i ended my previous job because of burnout and i couldnt handle the stress. now i am in a job that lets me relax.

I agree with freeangel. Our need for isolation is often associated with disinterest in our partner. I am currently married but feel my marriage is teetering. I have two wonderful children, I would hate to put them through a divorce. I don't know if staying with my wife for sake of children is right thing to do?

I love my wife and certainly wish her no harm. I just don't feel either one of us has the " stomach " for the hardships that will more than likely come.

I am very depressed today, that may have something to do with my response.

It has maimed and/or killed most of my close friendships. They get too close, the mask comes off, and that is the end of that.

I lost a good and long term friendship due to my bp. I accused her of talking about me and trying to hurt me. I was very moody and would lash out and yell at her when I was in a bad mood. She put up with a lot from me. I guesss she just got fed up and could'nt take it anymore. I miss her so much. She changed her phone number and threatned to call the police if I ever come to her house. omg I miss her!! I am also currently seperated from my husband.

Coming from a spouse of someone with BP, I know I would be devastated if my husband left me. I know I'm the only thing that is really keeping him together right now and it would make things worse if he did. He would have no daily support system. If your husband is willing to stay and support you through this let him. Let it be HIS decision if he wants to leave. All us loved ones of BPs want to do is help. Let him do that for you if he is willing.

My last manic episode had me in a wild place..I went out and had a one night stand with a kid 24 years younger than I am..I came home and kicked my Ex out of the house..had a total melt down......that one night stand turned out to be a soul mate..7 years later we are still together ,and he has been through everything with me.

Yep, folks before you leave your spouses because of the bp, listen to what Kimiowa said. I am loved by friends and family in spite of my bp. They chose to love me and many have stuck by me through the highs and the lows.

Hmm, change the "you" in what I just said to "we". In the throes of our condition, rationality can be a problem for me. I may project feelings onto my partner that they do not actually have.