[FeelingHopeful]

Is saying the L word love bad or good? If you suffer from bp if someone says it is it something you like or does it freak you out? Would love to hear stories from everyone struggling today , did i freak him out?

Well I loved it and felt freaked out at the same time. But not a bad freaked out, more a scared and vulnerable freaked out. I think this would depend a lot on peoples past experiences and also how they have dealt with past issues, like have the dealt with them.

I wouldn't know if you freaked him out, but I have a feeling he is probably a lucky guy.

[Phoenix_1]

I think it depends on a person's past experiences and how long you have known them.

I've been married twice - both abusive marriages. Right now if I met someone and they said they loved me after a week or a month, I probably wouldn't believe them. If I had been involved with them 6 months or longer and then they said it, I might believe them. But again it would depend on the person, how involved we were, and how much I trust them. Maybe I'd believe them and maybe I wouldn't. It depends.

The only real way to find out is to ask him.

[FeelingHopeful]

We have been close friends dor many many yrs

[SunAngel]

I have been married for a long time and wasn't diagnosed yet when I 1st met my husband. I did have BP symptoms since childhood but when I met my husband I was just diagnosed with panic disorder and depression and I said I loved him and he said he loved me.

He didn't freak out over anything about me, but I still felt a little bit uncomfortable with the whole thing.

It didn't matter to him though because we got married and have stayed married for a long time now.

So what I am trying to say is that there are people out there who don't freak out over Love and Mental Illness.

[FeelingHopeful]

Aww Thanks Guys, Hes not diagonosed with anything as i know, but he knows theres something up, he doesnt know how to deal with his emotions, i know he cares about me, i guess i just worry about putting too much on him, i told him in a letter actually,,,,,

[FeelingHopeful]

Also wondering is hypersexual a big part of bipolar, looking into that for a friend........

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by FeelingHopeful

Also wondering is hypersexual a big part of bipolar, looking into that for a friend........

For many people, yes - during hypomanic or manic phases. Probably not most of the time, which is spent either depressed or normal.

Love can be a funny thing.
During the early years of my marriage, I was having BP episodes (undiagnosed then) and my wife who loved me felt incredibly threatened. We got into fights and it felt as if she was trying unrelentingly to rip me to pieces. Neither of us understood what was going on for many years.

But she stood by me for 26 years and weathered the storms.
Now that we have a diagnosis, and are able to work with knowledge and the benefit of medicine, she is my best ally. That to me is love.

When you are starting out with a romantic relationship, if you already have the "best friend" bit in place, you stand a good chance with the rest.

My 2c.

[sugahorse1]

It means a lot to me to hear it from my boyfriend. We've been together a long time, and it makes me feel like I am important at least to someone

[Sophia57]

I am lost without the L word. I need reaffirmation after 30 years of marriage. I also use it with my kids and my parents. I think it is something that gives me a sense of stability and keeps away intrusive thoughts. Sorry to hear so many are troubled by it.

[Yoda]

I don't belong in this thread. To me the L word is lazy and my friends and I are not allowed to call each other that.

But I do love y'all.