[Thaine]

First of all, I'm poly and married which I feel is important background. I also have bipolar as well as PTSD and anxiety as my main diagnoses.

Two years ago I dated a guy who said he had bipolar and used it to manipulate me because it reality he was a sociopathic piece of ****. After it ended with him I told my husband I wouldn't date somebody bipolar again because I felt their mania/depression would trigger my own. However, I have since realized that might not be true and that it could have just been the manipulation and had nothing to do with the bipolar aspect which he may or may not have actually had.

Recently I've developed a crush on a friend who has very very similar bipolar symptoms as I do, and I love spending time with her because she understands and whatnot. However, my husband is afraid of me even potentially seeing someone with bipolar because he is worried it will trigger me and spiral me down.

I typically rely on him and others to help me figure out reality because it is something I do have issues determining. However, I don't know whether his concerns are valid or if they have to do with the trauma we went through with the past abusive "bipolar" boyfriend.

Thoughts on how I should proceed? Have you ever dated someone bipolar? Etc?

[zijax]

Yep I'm bipolar and my bf is bipolar and while it's great that he gets it, it's scary when one of us gets unstable like now. My bf mentioned last night that he was getting more depressed and might have to go inpatient. I can't help him as i have my sons visiting me. He is caring for his elderly Mom and I keep making suggestions for him to get help but he doesn't do them. So i wonder should i really be with this guy? When we're both well there's nothing better but the stability doesn't last for long.

[fairydustgirl]

I have bipolar 1 and dated a guy for about a year who had schizoaffective bipolar type, when he was stable everything was quite wonderful. He gave me a sense of peace I hadn't found with anyone before. However, he became manic over the summer and it started to affect me pretty badly. When I tried to ask for some space he got very ugly and said some cruel things...all I wanted was not to talk on the ph 3 times a day for an hour each time and then skype for 2 hours in the evening every day! I was overwhelmed needless to say and was starting to go into a depression. We made up and he soon was more stable but not all the way there. I did end up leaving the relationship, partly because he kept asking for money and partly because I couldn't forget what he said to me. "I hope something bad happens to you"

Unfortunately I am finding out that every man I meet has some kind of mental issue, even if they don't say it up front.