The more he can truly understand the illness, the better - typically by reading books on bipolar disorder, accompanying you to appts with your pdoc, joining you at local support group meetings, etc. I recommend that he at least read up on it. He'll have a basic, more objective understanding of the illness.

From my experience, what is most important is actual acceptance by him that you have this illness. That you have bipolar disorder and while you are "more" than your illness - you do have it and all that goes with it.

I met my husband in college and we eventually married and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 several years later. He came to understand the illness but ultimately could not accept it. We divorced after 16 years of marriage.

Best wishes to you.