Hey mate, I really really feel your pain. I know what you are going through because I had dated a bipolar girlfriend for almost 6 years. I did stop seeing her after 6 years but it was because of a long distance relationship thing but not because of her bipolar.

Anyway she was 21 when I first met her. I don't know what you are like or what you should or shouldn't do, but from my experience with her, it's a difficult condition to deal with.
What I found was that when she was slightly stressed or unhappy, the smallest thing would set her off. Her emotions was a tinderbox with a short fuse. Small, irrational things could set her off into fits of anger and depression that would lead to arguments and fights (sometime physical ones). She would threaten to jump out of the car when she was sad.

I believed it was this irrational and sometimes immature thinking as the things that characterised her bipolar disorder.
Small unhappy thoughts in normal people don't get blown out of proportions.

Anyway, I don't have an opinion on meds, and it may have helped her but she never took any when I was with her.
She had taken meds prior to me meeting her, but she didn't like it because she said it made her really blur and slow (which kind of makes sense).

The only thing I could do as a boyfriend was really try to make her happy ALL THE TIME (you know how hard that is??) and try not to set her off as best I could.
This was really really difficult as she would dig up things in my past (like about my ex girlfriend) when she was unhappy with and go on arguing about for hours on end. If I was annoyed or impatient, I would end up making her condition WORSE and argue/fight to no end.

There is a relevant proverb:

An idle mind is a devil's workshop (or playground)

What that means is that, the more positive thoughts and more active mind, the less chance that unhappy/evil/naughty thoughts would creep into your mind.
Your mind can typically only think of one thing at a time. Trying to be positive most of the time will help.
Even when you do have unhappy thoughts, don't let them get the better of you.
Try and find something positive to think about.
Don't let small irrational thoughts get blown out of proportions.

besides medication, therapy and self-help strategies also play important roles. You can help control your symptoms by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating right, monitoring your moods, keeping stress to a minimum, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. avoid drugs if possible

I know it's easy to say but hard to do especially for people with Bipolar. I never had it personally but only struggled to deal with it for 6 years in my ex girlfriend.
I mean everyone has something to be depressed about, how they deal with it and the emotions that each experiences varies according to the individual.

I do agree with H4XF4XTOR in his statement. But again, easy to say and hard to do, and no opinion on drugs.

You do need to explain to your girlfriend and family about your condition. Alternatively, get a supportive doctor to explain your situation to her/them.
Whether your girlfriend can tolerate it and wants to support you through the highs and lows of your emotions is up to her.

Anyway, well done for recognising that you have bipolar.
Good luck mate and stay positive.


Doctors always has to make an opinion about you and your condition in a short amount of time. Don't take what they say as gospel and don't let it get to you.
Why do you think people go get a second opinion from a different doctor???

And if lithium doesn't work, maybe you'll be able to charge a mobilephone...

ummmmm nevermind...

You really have to be honest with your girlfriend and you have to ask for your family to help more than your girlfriend.

Unfortunately, with girlfriends, you can't force them to stick around unless they really want to.
The more you force them to do something the more they want to reject it.
You can imagine that what advice her family and friends are giving to her at the moment regarding you.

If you are honest with her and she can't accept or be patient with you regarding your condition, you can't ask her to stick with you forever.
Hopefully she can accept you but if she can't accept it, it will only be another issue for you to get angry about it when you're a bit down.

I suggest you be honest with her. I suggest you give her space and distance yourself from her and tell her you need to sort your own issues out first.
Tell her you want to still talk to her as friends even if you can't be boyfriend/girlfriend. Having her as an outlet to discuss your problems will help you tremendously. When she can see your condition has improved, maybe you can continue your relationship.

This website has quite extensive information on bipolar
http://www.winmentalhealth.com/about_bipolar_disorder.php

3/4 of the way down on the above website:

Exercise

One suggestion that has been made as to factors that contribute to BD is that stress can trigger bipolar disorder. BD is "stress related). (Burgess, W., 2006). Vigorous exercise early in the morning can help to keep one calm and balanced throughout the day. Similarly, a brisk walk, outdoors in the evening can work better than a sleeping pill. Persons with bipolar disorder need exercise. Walking, swimming, biking, all affect a person's psyche in a positive direction, forward and with a feeling of purpose. The physical activity helps to burn off the stress which can fuel both depression and manic episodes. Chemically, exercise also has a positive effect on the mind, which can balance out highs and lows in one's mood and can even help lead one to full recovery.



Another website: 50 Natural Ways to Overcome Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_b...ar_disorder.php


Again, i have no opinion on drugs, but I believe regular daily exercise would help you tremendously.
Consider waking up early and going to the gym, going swimming or just walking around the block every day (the free option!).
Easy to try and see if that helps you out.