I, for one, tell in the beginning... I don't want to fall for someone, have to tell them that I am BP, just to have them leave me because of it... I tell them as soon as I think that the relationship has possibilities, no let downs that way!

well my husband has always known I was goofed up just didnt have names for it all... now he has names and I dont think it changes stuff to much

Hell mine figured it out before I could tell him, I didin't even know yet!

I just told him I was bipolar matter of factly and just expected him to accept it. I made no apologies or anything like that. It all turned out fine.

My first wife couldn't tolerate my antics. I was a little crazy and on ALOT of highs... so, I made sure my second wife knew the score, right off the bat. I stuck to my meds, saw my pdoc regularly and have been married 9 years. I find that, if you're not abusive or screw around and you take your meds regularly... you can make it work.
I told my wife... on my tombstone... I want it to read... "He was a good MAN, just a bad BOY!"

well, I've only been with my partner for 10 months and I was diagnosed 2 months ago so this has been a big struggle for the both of us but he does try to understand ..I am very lucky in that sense

I figure if they see me naked and don't laugh then I can trust them with this

We were married when I found out. I went in for an ADD check, cuz I can't focus on shit. The doc said he knew I was BP the second I walked in the room. And boths times I have been screened for ADHD, it shows I do not have it.

It was hard, to hear. But I had an uncle that committed suicide over it.

It was harder to tell my mom. I kept it as a secret from her for three years, so did my dad. She's supportive, but avoiding the fact that she has issues.

I've just been diagnosed but thru-out our 17-18 year relationship I know he's known there was something about me. We know now and are trying to move along. I would tell them if you're serious with them only.

i told my now husband up front. i decided he could love me or not. he has been a rock for me through so much. he keeps me laughing' well.....most of the time.

My BP occurred during our relationship. We had already been dating for 2 years, so it wasn't all that hard. He just had to make the decision as to whether he could handle this or not. We're still together, going on 8 years.

has anyone agreed not to get married based solely on their bipolar. What i mean is everything else being the same as a married couple, just no formal legal ties, and if it weren't for the BP then you would be married? If so, how long and how has this worked out?

After dating for a few weeks I couldn't hold the news in any longer, so I spilled the beans and she said that she knew there was something special about me...

Okay, I have never said this here before, but I had just been divorced and I had not told the woman that was divorcing me that I suffered from BP. So I made up my mind that the next person I met I would tell them during the first serious conversation we would have. I had decided that if she could not accept this fact about me that I would/could not be with her anyway.

When I met my wife, the first time we sat down and talked I explained to her that I was bipolar and I spared her no details I told the whole graphic story and she still fell in love with me and I with her and we are married to this day.

I think it is vital to tell your sig. other immediately no matter what the consequences. Just my opinion.

Isn't part of the disorder that we tell all to anyone that cares to listen? Never met a bper who could keep a secret :-)