[sillystef]

Hello everyone!

I have bipolar disorder type 2. Was diagnosed 7 year ago. For the most part, I am very well, I stay on my meds, etc., however I am an extremely emotional/sensitive person and I cry very very VERY easily.

In the past, mostly pre-diagnosis and especially during the time while I was in treatment and getting diagnosed, I did self-harm (cutting). I will get urges when I am in a low and there is a trigger, but more importantly I have not self-harmed in several years.

Unfortunately, almost 2 years ago the family dog passed away. This was a HUGE emotional trigger for me, and I did not cope very well with this. After coming from the vet where she passed, my parents went out, and without thinking, I swallowed a lot of pills/medications. I almost immediately regretted the act, and when my parents came home I told them and they took me to the hospital where I was admitted and treated. This was the first, and what I plan, to be my only suicide attempt. And I feel that it was more a reflex response of a sort, I cannot honestly stay that I planned it or really knew what I was doing. I wasn't thinking - I was feeling. Anyways, it scared me and I am very ashamed and I do not want to go through that again.

Here is the reason for my post. My boyfriend has always been concerned and worried about my strong emotions. He knows about my history, and was an important part of my life when I swallowed those pills almost 2 years ago. He is worried that one day, if triggered and I am in a low, that I might respond in a bad way and hurt myself again. For example, when we movie in together and we get into a big fight for example, and he leaves to get fresh air or something. Or something bad happens with another family member, or my other dog, and I react in a similar manner, etc.

All I can do is reassure him that I won't. Is there something else that we can do, like make up some kind of plan with steps to follow if something were to happen, or I don't know what.

Is anyone out there a boyfriend/girlfriend of someone like me, or someone with a mental illness with a history of self-harm, and do you have any advice for us? What do you do? Are there any resources you can recommend for him to read or anything?

Just looking for ideas and insights. Anything is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[kaliope]

I think the best thing is history. certainly there are minor stressors that you deal with on a regular basis that you have to use coping skills for that show him that you are capable of dealing with bigger stressors. talking about how you would handle bigger stressors, the coping skills you would use instead of self harm would relieve his anxiety should these things actually present themselves.