Hi. I completely understand what you're going through. I have been bipolar my entire life, just never knew it until about 5 years ago. I've been married for 13 years and it has been a struggle. I've suffered from some very destructive ups and downs, and it has been incredibly hard on my wife. I have always had trouble expressing and showing affection and probably always will. My wife has just learned to be patient and strong, and said she takes the bad with the good - specifically she says the good things about me outweigh the bad that come with being bipolar.

Counseling can help - I often times feel like no one around me really understands what I go through on a daily basis, and sometimes my wife seems to only "tolerate" it, but we get through it. We also have 2 special needs children, so we have to work as a team to do the best we can for them. Don't give up if you think your relationship is worth it.