Funny you should say that Valentina, a failed relationship is what actually motivated me to get help, and lucky for me, we got back together and my bf doesn't hold our past against me because he knows I am working my butt off and he has noticed the positive changes.

He's very supportive of my journey to better mental health, neither of us have any illusions about me being cured, but more effective management is good enough.

FTR, he is not my punching bag, or doormat, he doesn't walk on egg shells, but is rather my main cheerleader who doesn't hold back if and when I should need a healthy dose of a reality check.

Not all of us are monsters, some of us are deeply ashamed by the way our minds work and our subsequent actions. Some of us are deeply scarred and unable to have a clear sense of self-awareness, or have been scarred for too long that dysfunction is the norm. Better the devil you know, and all that.

Luckily, there are those of us who fight tooth and nail against the dysfunction and the pain we unwittingly inflict on our loved ones.