My partner and I have been together for 6 years, but knew each other for 8. The first 3 years of our relationship I was mostly in a hypomanic to manic episode. We drank a lot and wrote a lot. I would only get depressions for a few weeks at a time once a year. I used to go to work while he stayed home and cook every meal and do many of the household chores. Now in the past 3 years I have been in an almost constant depressed phase. We don't drink any more, he does all the cooking and cleaning, I only work one day a week and he works 70 hours a week. I've had two hypomanic/manic episodes. One last summer and one in May of '08. So it's a total reverse. Only starting to come out of this episode and afraid I'll crash again. I feel like a total burden on him, but he doesn't treat me that way. He knows only meds and therapy can help my disease, so he gives me space when I feel low and is always there to offer a hug when I'm in need of one. He doesn't try to fix me. I feel very lucky to have someone who loves me no matter what state I'm in. We've probably had less than 5 serious arguments in the whole time we've been together. And we always make up pretty quickly afterward. Of all the relationships he's been in, he thinks being with me is the easiest. (What does that say about all those other women?!) He offers advice sometimes, but only when I solicit it. I don't know what I'd do without him. Probably be in a state hospital. I'm sorry your guy just doesn't get it. How frustrating. All I can do is to send you hugs and hope that you can get into some counseling so he can understand what you're going through.