I have been married for 29 years and have had some pretty rough patches of depressive bipolar episodes. One lasted for more than a year as my pdoc and I tried to find the perfect combination of meds. I'm not going to lie, it was hard on my husband and children who were witness to that horrible period of my life. It wasn't easy on any of them.

My husband was supportive but he clearly felt his needs weren't being met. We stayed together because we loved each other and I promised to 1) take my meds, 2) do what my pdoc suggested about lifestyle changes (exercise, phototherapy, regular sleep schedule, etc), and 3) see a therapist every week. I was able to do those things.

Now that I am stable, bipolar is just something I have. I don't think about it much except when I feel down and begin to worry that a depressive episode is lurking in the recesses of my mind. My husband can tell when a mood episode is coming on and urges me to contact my pdoc (so can/does my therapist). I comply because I believe they have my best interest at heart.

So, it is possible to find someone, stay in a committed relationship, and raise a family if you so choose, all while having bipolar disorder. Having a chronic mental illness is just like any chronic physical illness. It takes time to heal. Sorry that your boyfriend wouldn't allow you time to heal.