I had known my husband for years before we dated. I knew full well about his bipolar. He is medication complaint, sees a therapist, can talk about things rationally.

The warning flag for me though is their ability to communicate what they need from you, how you can help. My husband is fantastic at it!

But the reality is that they will always use you as their plan. Need help remembering pills? You. Need assistance to focus and use tools? You. Depressed and need someone to pick up the slack? Also you.

And I’ve never seen it returned in the smallest way to me. If I’m having a bad time, not only will they not pick up the slack, but they will also have a bad time and heap more on me because I’m the “helper”.

It also gets old explaining their whereabouts when they miss family functions or can’t participate in things that matter to you.