I totally agree with buddha1too's statement. I'll also add that it can be helpful to manage expectations in advance. I think that sometimes as an adult we have to moderate our emotions and let them build up/down more gradually. I suppose having bipolar disorder can play a part in emotional dysregulation, but it need not. To a degree, there is likely some personality tendencies at work. I've mostly be fairly guarded in my life, and have fallen in true love only twice in my over 50 years. I was "dumped" by my first love (3 1/2 years), and it hurt like hell and I do believe triggered episodes. However, I slowly got passed the pain, as one goes through a grieving process. It was actually not too long after that I met my husband. I liked him from the start, but the hold on my heart was more gradual. He turned out to be a long-time (permanent) love, but it has been a grounded one.

I agree with you that some of the behavior from bipolar episodes can be a barrier to long-term relationships. Thankfully my husband has been a very tolerant man. However, I'm quite tolerant and forgiving of some of HIS behavior, too. Truth is, many people (with bipolar or not) are not tolerant and forgiving people. That's why the divorce rates are high. Expectations are unique. Some people have ones that very few people can meet. Attitudes towards commitment are also different, nowadays. Even the ones of our generations have changed a bit.