I have lost friends because when first diagnosed and I was a total mess I burned people out because all I did was talk about my illness and trying to find the right meds in and out IP Blah Blah Blah. I was being what I call an Emotional Vampire, I didn't see it while I was such a mess.

Anyone with a mental illness is taught and pushed to learn to put up boundaries so its only logical that people we interact with has to also keep up boundaries to, they need to look after there own mental health after all.

I've had numerous friends that fall into an addiction .. Alcohol or drugs.. Or that friend that is in a shyt relationship and they go on and on about it , but make no changes ...Sure I can listen, I can offer advice but there will come a point that they are emotional vampires to me and I have to take a huge step back.

So this is not something unique to Bipolar or mental illness its just a life problem for everyone walking on the planet..

I found PC and talked to people that are not only living but thriving having Bipolar. When I am having a hard time I talk to my BP friends, I don't talk to my husband about dips up or down because he really isnt going to understand but my friends will. Honestly if my husband knew what routinely goes through my head it would scare the hell out of him. That sad when I am really bad I do tell my husband " hey I am not in a good place" so he is aware.. We all must learn that we really should not use our spouse of loved ones as our T, That can possibly destroy that relationship...