[FeelingHopeful]

Do Most people who suffer from this think they cannt love. Interested in hearing if its possible to fall in love if your bipolar??

I've been married for 23 years, so yes, I've been able to be in love and in a relationship.

[jamesmb]

Most certainly. But as bi-polar people, we have to be even more cautious and cognizant than others about why we enter relationships. Is it the right person for the wrong reasons? Wrong person for the right reasons? A wrong/wrong who looks good at the moment or when mania is flared up?

It's a steep challenge, to be sure. But reflecting back, aren't the challenging things we've accomplished in life the most rewarding.

[NuckingFutz]

Yes, we can love. It is the psychopath that has an inability to love.

[Amazonmom]

I've been very lucky and found the right person for me! Been together for 11 years, married over 8 years. Have one sweet little girl who will be one year on Saturday!

I met him when I was depressed. I took things slowly because I wanted to make sure I wasn't acting from loneliness, or getting attached to someone that was wrong for me and would eventually hurt me in some way. I had no idea I was Bipolar at the time.

My hubby says that he would have chosen to be involved with me even if he knew about the bipolar from the beginning. The disorder hasn't really hampered our marriage...it's my horrendously bad self esteem that gets in the way sometimes. Of course hubby even admits to some of his traits being unhelpful...

You don't have to deprive yourself of love or relationships because of Bipo!

[Navygrrl]

I'm madly in love with my husband, so I know for me it's possible.

[FeelingHopeful]

That makes alot of sense james mb, thank you! Also what everyone else said too made sense, thank you everybody, guess it depends on when you find the right person, but what about if you cant love anyone cause you cant even love yourself, do people with bp think that way?

[owllover99]

I think bipolars tend to love more deeply. As least when I do, I love 110% especially when it comes to a relationship. You can love yourself even if you're bipolar.

I think people who are in a lot of pain do that, not necessarily bp. Are you in therapy? You may need to work through this with someone. It takes time.

[perpetuallysad]

I don't think,for me - I cannot say for everyone here - its not that I cannot love, it is that when the illness is overwhelming I feel horrible for inflicting myself on others. If it weren't for my husband's constant and loving insistence that I cannot leave, I would have a left a million times for feeling that I am torturing him as much as my illness tortures me. That is why I have ended all of my friendships and countless romantic relationships in the past.

[FeelingHopeful]

Thanks everyone. Farmergirl im not in therapy but maybe one day i will go. i think therapy us very good. im actually asking for a friend to be honest. trying to learn alot about this illness so love hearing everyones opinions. Means alot to me!