[sevstrub]

Am I the only one who doesn't seem to be able to have a long term relationship? I start out great, then slowly it builds and I end up needing to be alone after a year or so...Anyone else?

[Homeira]

Think it is pretty common with BP. Long term relationships can be hard enough even without MI... BP makes me at times so unstable that I have enough just caring for myself. And I know it can be hard for people around me to put up with me. My depression is more or less a constant in my life, and at times debilitating. And it also makes me a bit self-centered. It is just how it is, when I spend so much energy on just getting in the shower, and spend a lot of time in my own company. I have a marriage behind me, and a couple of relationships that did not end well. One factor was that I fell in love and went into them in the middle of hypomanic episodes. And when I calmed down, I saw that it was not a good thing after all. Also, these poor guys got to know a side of me where I was very energetic, upbeat and outgoing. And that is not how I normally am. Maybe it was not what they signed up for, having a partner with a moderate/severe depression half of the time...
I am a confirmed bacherlorette these day, and quite happy with that. No more drama! My goals in life doesn't revolve around finding a partner, and it is quite liberating. I focus on my son, and making and keeping friends instead.

[avlady]

homeria i know what you mean. you are smart for not revolving you life around finding a partner, i can see how liberating it can be. making and keeping friends is a hard thing to do, i hope you can do it!!good luck

[Homeira]

Well, I try to nurture my friendships. It can be demanding enough, lol! Of course it also helps that I am a person who is quite content in my own company. I read, do crafts, knit, sew, etc, and do all the "mom-things", so I am seldom bored...
And the occational date