Anxiety Disorders Support Group

My relationship is giving me great anxiety. I reunited with a boyfriend I had years ago and he informed me that he is bipolar. Since then, I have read many articles and books on the disorder. While my boyfriend is not mean or abusive, he can be mildly quirky. Yet most books and even postings on bipolar support groups warn that he could turn moody, say cruel things, change his mind about the relationship, cheat etc. etc. My anxiety levels have shot up considerably. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression 25 years ago but have worked hard to deal with it. Now I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop in the relationship. I wake up nervous every day thinking about it. Maybe I should just end it but that seems so sad right now. I am flummoxed. I just want the anxiety and excessive rumination to stop.

Dear Tapioca,

What you need to understand is while it is possible that these negative things could occur in your relationship with someone with bp, they can also just as easily happen with someone without. Just because someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder it doesn't mean that they are necessarily going to exhibit all the negative characteristics, it really depends on the individual. It's all about trust.

There's a very good book you may want to pick up called 'Living Well With Depression And Bipolar Disorder' by John McManamy. My girlfriend, who isn't bipolar, has read it and it has been a great help to her in better understanding my illness.

I hope this has been of some help to you.

Best of luck,

Eddie

Thank you, Eddie. I appreciate your reply. I will check out that title.

You're very welcome...