[selma83]

Hi,

I've been with my bf for over 5 years now and he has told me long ago that two members of his family were diagnosed with BD (father and sister only). His father has been stable for almost 10 years and his sis is suffering coz she refuses to take the medicine. On the other hand, my bf is very lucid and aware of the disease and the probability that he might get it one day. He's very creative and smart and articulate. We wanna get married soon and my family is so worried about me and they believe that im "ruining my life" by marrying him, that my bf will one day turn manic and that i'll have kids who'll suffer from the disease. Utimately leading to a divorce.

I love my bf more than anything and I can't possibly leave him for that because if he ever gets BP it will be my duty as a wife to support him and help him with love no matter how hard it is.

I need your advice on how to convince my family (and myself) that it's not a hundred percent sure that he'll get BD, that some people don't get it even though they have a family hist. I need anyone's opinion. Can anyone tell me the probabilities of him getting it? of my children getting it. He's in his early 20's and he's survived a very awful and tough childhood, he's a calm person, and doesn't exhibit any signs, plus i don't wanna look for symptoms because that means that every time he oversleeps or over eats or over spends or gets a little nervous, i'll attribute it to the disorder which won't be a fair thing to do. Help!
Thanks in advance...

[Direction]

I don't think you will be able to convince your family...only yourself...unless you are unwillingly to give up family ties...

Under the right or should I say "wrong" conditions there is a higher probably due to relatives with BP that he would develop BP that it effects his life negatively.

By the way welcome to PC...

Your own fears could be an issue for you...you are correct that everytime a certain action might look like BP when it isn't...some people do...

It might be a good idea to talk to a therapist only and together having a candid assertive conversation about what you wrote.

[onyx69000]

[mydarlin]

He may never exhibit symptoms and he may .... there is no way to tell you 100%.....there is no blood test that can be done so that they can say..."oh yeah...he's bipolar"

Sorry that I couldn't give you more help....but we are here for you....don't stop loving him because he might have a mental illness.... he is still the person you love ....just a little extra baggage (possibly)