I've dealt with bipolar disorder for decades. It sucks, I know. And it can suck real bad for the friends/family of the person who has it.
But it can be treated and dealt with.
One thing you have to understand, the depressive state isn't their "real" self, it is just one side of them. True, it isn't easy dealing with that side of them, but it is no more their real self then the lively bubbly side you first got to know. Both sides ARE them. Yes, the two sides of them are opposite, but they are still both that person.
You need to search your feelings. Do you care for this person? Do you think you love them (even if it is just the happier side)? If so, my recommendation is to try to help them get mental health care. Counseling, and maybe even medication can help a lot.
If you care for this person, and you believe they care/love back, you have to be careful with what you do, especially if you decide to leave. I'm not trying to guilt-trip you into staying with them, but consider carefully how you end things; try to do it in such a way, and time, as to not send them off over the deep end. The pain of a break up can be exacerbated by bipolar disorder, to sometimes very bad results.
But it can be treated and dealt with.
One thing you have to understand, the depressive state isn't their "real" self, it is just one side of them. True, it isn't easy dealing with that side of them, but it is no more their real self then the lively bubbly side you first got to know. Both sides ARE them. Yes, the two sides of them are opposite, but they are still both that person.
You need to search your feelings. Do you care for this person? Do you think you love them (even if it is just the happier side)? If so, my recommendation is to try to help them get mental health care. Counseling, and maybe even medication can help a lot.
If you care for this person, and you believe they care/love back, you have to be careful with what you do, especially if you decide to leave. I'm not trying to guilt-trip you into staying with them, but consider carefully how you end things; try to do it in such a way, and time, as to not send them off over the deep end. The pain of a break up can be exacerbated by bipolar disorder, to sometimes very bad results.
You meet someone in a pub. They seem bright and bubbly. They're full of confidence and have the exact same sense of humour as you. So you see them a few more times, and it stays the same way. You really like them, so you start seeing them regularly. Sexually you fit too, which is great because you've never had good experiences in that department before.
You've become boyfriend and girlfriend.
Then 2 months in you get a glimpse of their real self. Their insecurities. It's just something small, they just feel really "down" one day and they confide in you that they're unhappy with their life, their appearance, just unhappy with somethings in general. But then they shake this mood and things go back to normal.
But then it happens again. And again, and 6 months into this relationship you realise this person you now love is probably bi-polar. They have periods of elation and then deep depression and nothing you say or do can lift them out of it. They just sleep it off or it just wears off after a few days. You just watch them beat themselves up about little things and avoid contact with anyone but yourself.
Question is... you didn't know this person was messed up when you started out... You didn't bargain for this. You thought they were fun and lively, turns out they are the exact opposite.
Would you stick around?
You've become boyfriend and girlfriend.
Then 2 months in you get a glimpse of their real self. Their insecurities. It's just something small, they just feel really "down" one day and they confide in you that they're unhappy with their life, their appearance, just unhappy with somethings in general. But then they shake this mood and things go back to normal.
But then it happens again. And again, and 6 months into this relationship you realise this person you now love is probably bi-polar. They have periods of elation and then deep depression and nothing you say or do can lift them out of it. They just sleep it off or it just wears off after a few days. You just watch them beat themselves up about little things and avoid contact with anyone but yourself.
Question is... you didn't know this person was messed up when you started out... You didn't bargain for this. You thought they were fun and lively, turns out they are the exact opposite.
Would you stick around?
Death to the Regressives of the GOP and the TeaParty. No mercy for Conservatives. Burn them all at the stake for the hateful satanists they are.
Would you stick around?
- 19/10/2009 09:14:35 PM
797 Views
Nature.
- 19/10/2009 09:28:49 PM
494 Views
Ultimately, everyone elses answers are useless to this.
- 19/10/2009 11:06:53 PM
510 Views
You are full of crap!
- 20/10/2009 02:22:37 PM
403 Views
- 20/10/2009 03:26:30 PM
401 Views
- 20/10/2009 03:26:30 PM
401 Views
from somebody who has bipolar disorder
- 21/10/2009 06:07:46 PM
449 Views