Reddit reviews Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner (The New Harbinger Loving Someone Series)

I recommend this book a lot on here because it's one of the few I've read. I read it because it was written for someone like me or your SO. It's not directed parents or the person diagnosed.

It's also not just an explanation. It sympathies, scares, and coaches. It also strongly recommends that he helps you manage your BP. That's asking you to give up control at times which can also be scary, so it's probably a good idea to read with him.

Overall I think it's a very hopeful read. Its explicit goal is getting SOs involved in BP management to make it easier on both of you.

eta: maybe he can also find support at /r/BipolarSOs

The two of you have the most important aspect of making this work of all: that you both want to keep trying. This is the basis of all relationships (not just ones with mental health challenges) and it is surprisingly hard to come by. A lot of the times, particularly in marriage, one party may become complacent. When this happens, there is a stunt of growth, understanding, and eventually love. All relationships and partnerships are work, but if the two of you work as a team, it dramatically increases your chances of working it out.

You said he doesn't feel like you really know him and that he needs to censor. Negative behavior picked up while untreated and bad habits from childhood are things that need to be addressed in a positive way. Do the homework the therapist gives you and try to communicate as best you can. Most importantly of all: talk to one another. Be kind and understanding to facilitate and environment where he is less afraid to be himself. Find out why he is afraid to be himself (specifically). Talk about everything. Don't forget to hang out either. Sometimes, when couples acknowledge issues in their relationship and orient themselves towards working on them, it can overtake their relationship. Everything becomes about those issues and some of the love and magic in the relationship is lost because the time is dedicated towards addressing them. Make sure to take time to love one another. Cuddle, be silly, laugh. Take it one step at a time.

I actually have a blog about love and bipolar that you can find here. However, if you don't want to listen to the ramblings of a crazy internet person, I've heard great things about this book.

There's a book called Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder that's really good.

http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Someone-Bipolar-Disorder-ebook/dp/B006CUXPEK/