[twin0p]

I was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder and PTSD. Recently, I've become acquainted with a sweet man, and am now in a relationship with him. This is the first relationship I've had for a year, and the only relationship I've been in where I haven't been abused.
Lately, I can't keep a cool on my bi-polar: I've been snapping on him for no reason, thinking irrational thoughts, pushing him away, and mentally freaking out that he's cheating on me.
How are you supposed to have a steady relationship with someone effectively when you suffer from bi-polar disorder?
I don't want him to leave me because of it, and quite frankly, I'm unsure on what I should do ...

[Travelinglady]

Hi, twin0p, and welcome to Psych Central! I have bipolar as well, and I have been married to a wonderful guy for over 25 years, so it can be done. That said, he is very patient, and I take medication and see a therapist regularly.

You sound like you are having some insight into your behavior, which is good. I am thinking maybe your PTSD might be somehow related, too, but I can't say that for sure.

And your past bad relationships are also playing a role.

I encourage you to talk to a therapist about this situation, if you aren't already in therapy--and maybe stay in therapy while you and this man are in a relationship. I find talking to someone helps me with my stress and that helps me to be less likely to lash out and maybe head into another depressive or manic state.

[Open Eyes]

twinOP,

Your snapping at your boyfriend IMHO, is more to do with the PTSD than bipolar disorder. I am wondering if you may only have PTSD going on which has cycles to it that are similar to bipolar disorder. Keep that in mind and see if you can read up on that, when a patient presents to a psychiatrist that they are fine for a while then hit some lows, even debilitating lows, it is not unusual for them to be diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, when in reality PTSD has those same symptoms. And PTSD has a variety of symptoms which can lead to misdiagnoses of other disorders when in reality it is all just PTSD.

OE