I am new to this forum. I am the Bipolar forum regular. My frequent feelings are guilt, shame, regret, fear (a biggie). About an hour ago I thought back to a moment, many years ago, when I made a bad decision that still has negative ramifications for my daughter, who now lives with her dad (I wrecked the marriage and bipolar manias were a big cause). I made the decision while manic and possessed and I did not consult with my then husband at all. Normally such thought would bring me regret. This time, it brought sadness, realization of how different, calm and centered life would have been had I not made that decision, and sorrow for what she has to go through now as a result. There was a sharp feeling in my heart; it was hard to tolerate, but I decided to feel it through the end instead of trying to mask or shun it feverishly. It occurred to me that this feeling, so different, was love. I am not friends with love - I have BPD, narcissistic traits, and DD NOS (dissociation). I have trouble with empathy, and my reoccurring regrets are usually selfish - regrets over not doing the perfect thing so it is centered on me, not others; but this time it was sadness and painful empathy.

Does it sound like LOVE?