So much wise advice. I have seen relationships form IP before and go bad. My ex-husband has been dating a girl he met IP 17 months ago and it seems to be going well...but they are not living together and that was when his behaviour really began to badly effect me. She is a social worker so I'm guessing she is trying to save him. Well good luck, he resisted every effort of mine to get him into treatment until the day it suited him - 7 years later. Good luck to her I say.

But seriously, I do realise the likelihood of me starting a relationship with this man (who may not even have feelings for me) and it going well, are slim. Still, I also feel I won't be able to have a successful relationship with a man who hasn't had any MI as he would not understand, or put up with my weird behaviour when unwell. This guy seems grounded and insightful, but I have only spoken to him 3 times and he is, like me, unwell enough to need to be IP.

Maybe it's the hypomania but I feel hopeful about it and want to give it a go if he is up to it. This is weird as only a week ago I felt no where near ready for a relationship, even while manic (at that time I just wanted sex). Either I have met the right man or the attraction is blinding me. I just don't want to miss out on anymore good in my life out of fear. Too much joy has been stolen from me. I am taking it back.