So a few months ago I started dating my boyfriend knowing full well he had bipolar and I do as well. What I didn't think about was the fact that we'd be so radically different in how our depression and mania works.
I personally like to be around my partner when I am sad. I want him to hold me, and just sit there with me, talk to me about anything and everything. He on the other hand wants alone time that can last up to a week at a time and then sometimes he'll ask me to leave because he has had a turn and is scared of saying something mean.
It's those times that has us at a cross roads. When he asks me to leave, my head automatically takes it personally. I then take a depressed turn and things go down hill. I also have severe anxiety, and on more than one occasion have found myself in the bathroom vomiting from it.

I find it difficult because he knows deep down he needs to get help (he wont take his pills because of the side effects), but he doesn't want to go to the doctor either. His depression confuses me SO much.

He also NEVER talks to me. He is the sort to shut down, where I am the sort that will talk about it, even if it's through a million sobs, tears, a runny nose, and takes me 5 hours to say.

I guess I'd love some feedback from people who have been in similar situations, or from people who react like my partner does, on how I can better understand him. How I can help him and make things work.
Any advice is appreciated.


Azumii.