[jeffreynimitz]

I am a 28 Year old Gay Male who has recently gone through some suicide attempts. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar I since i was 24 and i am currently suffering from very bad depression. My problem is getting my Boyfriend of 7 years to understand what is going on, he can't be compassionate when i have to cancel plans due to my mood or when i get emotional for no reason.

I know that he loves me, this is not a matter of love but this is a matter of ignorance. What are some things that I can do to get him to understand this invisible cancer that plagues me everyday.

[Skeezyks]

Hello jeffreynimitz: I'm sorry you & your boyfriend are struggling with this. I don't know as I have any particularly great ideas for you here. I think the main question is going to be how interested is your bf in learning to be understanding? I know you wrote that he loves you. But this may or may not be enough. He must also want to learn to understand, & as a result to accommodate your limitations. Assuming that he wants to understand & accommodate, then I think it is simply a matter of education. Perhaps he could read posts here on PC, watch videos on YouTube, read some books on Bipolar, etc. One YouTuber I'm fond of is California psychologist, Kati Morton. She has a whole playlist of videos on Bipolar Disorder. Another idea would be for the two of you to participate in a Bipolar, or general mental health, support group. There's tons of information out there. Once he has a basic understanding of what's going on with you, then it's a matter of the two of you learning to communicate what's going on effectively. Some couples therapy might be helpful in this regard. My best wishes to you both...