I have bipolar II ultra rapid cycling diagnosis and had those run away, getting divorced(husband of 25 yrs), leaving my kids, whatever was normal was not. That was in the beginning of my diagnosis only 4 yrs ago.

My behavior while in depression is now considered an axis II "borderline traits" during depression. My Pdoc and therapist says I do not have Borderline only during my depression of my out of control everything....

Many things contributed to that behavior including PTSD and I was just trying to find "safe" in my head. I even stayed in a hotel for a few months and my van wandering around in what might be considered a dissociative episode. I felt like a wandering ghost and although my home an husband was quite safe, in my head it wasnt because I didnt understand why or how I could ever feel so depressed and dysfunctional.

Also with my first hospitalization and diagnosis and never having any mental health issue before this was totally new to me and my husband. But as I learned whether it through therapy, DR or support groups, my husband was not keeping up and therefore not understanding what was going through my head and "why" I could act the way I did.

We hit rock bottom and it wasnt until then that we became equal emotionally and physically to each other and he is so understanding and supportive in a positive way and committed to "understanding" me that I dont "run" anymore.

My hope is that everyone opens themslelves up to that rock bottom feeling and start from a new understanding of this life we are living and feeling. It is only with support from our loved ones can we really have any chance of living a somewhat "normal" life and understand that it will have its rapid cycling, its ptsd triggers, environmental triggers and of course, chemical changes.

So no matter what the diagnosis, we just need to educate ourselves and help achieve some "non dysfunction" in our lives with our loved ones...