I was mentally abused by my Mother. I really don't blame her though, because I believe she is Bipolar as well.

I didn't feel loved by my Mother as a child. As a result, I desperately looked for love and acceptance in a woman that I could settle down with.

There were two kinds of women that I was attracted to: 1) those that reminded me of my Mother (in their dysfunctionality), and 2) those that were just the opposite.

The attraction to those that had some "dysfunctionality" was very strong. I wonder if Bipolar-types are attracted to others of the same nature? I know I was.

BTW, I ended up marrying a wonderful woman that was not like my Mother, and we celebrate 25 years of marriage next month.