Sometimes I read the posts on here and it is annoying that people write in and complain about their relationships with bipolar persons. The reason is that a lot of people do not seem to separate the diagnosis from the unfortunate behavior of their partner. I realize that it can be difficult to have an unrestrained, unmedicated spouse indulging in behaviors like hypersexuality or shopping sprees, but at the same time I do not want to be tarred with the same brush. I have been in a stable relationship for 8 years during which time I have not cheated or run up credit card bills or abused my man. I honestly think some of you are, perhaps inadvertently, perpetuating a stereotype that I have spent many years trying to disprove. Just because I have bipolar does not mean I grew up in an abusive home and abuse others--this is much closer to being true of those with borderline personality disorder. Bipolar disorder does not give me a free punch on a ticket to a lack of personal responsibility and ethical behavior. True, I may be irritable, but I should take care to realize I should not take it out on others. My relationship advice, for what it is worth, is do not date anyone who will not get treatment for their mental problems. Do not put up with unrestrained behavior from those who could try a lot harder to restrain themselves. And please, do me a favor, and don't talk about how horrible dating a BP is. Such a generality is in fact insulting to those of us trying to work for understanding of severe mental illness. Thanks for listening to my rant!
Nice to read your rant. Maybe those individuals should read your post before posting themselves. Some are complaining about significant others that are not even diagnosed. The behavior they describe happens in relationships globally and they are are looking for the answer, an answer based on a stereotype, like you imply, they perpetuate.
Keep reading and post more often.