Would you date a guy if they had a mental disorder?

[RhyRhy]

A good friend of mine had type-I bipolar (we assumed it was but was confirmed ex post facto when he apologized to us) and he was a pathological liar who would literally put himself in dangerous situations just to get people's attention. Ostentatious doesn't even come close to describing how bad he was. Not to mention he was a kleptomaniac when he was in his manic phase. He would steal tampons and cosmetics for his GF (at the time) and I remember one time he stole a coworker's purse. That point was when I stopped being friends with him and I just wanted to get out of his web he spun. Reckon he was not medicated at the time and I hope he is still on them now.
As I wrote, it was when BP came around that made him unbearable to be near.

Please don't put all beepers into the same boat. I'm BP1 myself, and the worst thing I've done when manic is buy many a fancy car, or high end electronics I couldn't afford, or change colleges every semester. And 95% of that was before I was diagnosed and started medication.I did make a few stupid financial decisions in the last year but they were very small only a couple hundred bucks. Luckily my full blown manias haven't happened but about once or twice in the last year and only lasted about a week a piece. Now due to all the meds I'm depressed all the time, and my dr refuses to put me on antidepressants since several had made me manic, so now we are tying Ritalin for the depression. However I'm really great at putting on a good face and not letting others know my signs 99% of the time.I think that's due to having to behave certain ways to keep up my country boy life and not let people in and let them know my big secret of being gay. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your friend.

 

[RhyRhy]

For a monogamous person who takes a lifelong view of things, I would have a hard time dealing with the potential for flare-ups of suicidal thoughts, because I'm in it for the long term and would rather grow old with someone. There are no guarantees in any relationship. My guy could have a heart attack or die out of the blue from Avian Influenza or he could walk past a construction site and something could fall on him. But it is easier to pretend he will live forever when I know he's not regularly thinking about bringing his life to an end himself. And pretending like that is half the fun of romance, and half the magic that makes it work.

Though it would be hard, that doesn't change my final answer, which is yes, I would. For someone who was making an effort to care for his mental health, even if there were good days and bad.

For me when I get to "that" point I know to take extra meds and sleep it off, and or get in a safe spot that is normally round my family so I can't do anything stupid. I've got this crazy thing down pretty good. Is it odd that I am ok with being called crazy but not being called gay

 

[RhyRhy]

I would like to say WOW and THANK YOU all for this amazing thread. It is nothing what I expected as I have asked the question on two other websites and got mainly "no" or made fun of for being "sick"

 

[neditesjamais]

Absolutely, yes!

I have known, worked with, been friends with, and very much enjoyed the company of various people with combinations of all of these "accents" in their lives. And some with more and others, too! How fortunate I've been.

Yeah, I have my own issues, too, so it's not like I don't worry about inflicting myself on somebody. But I always try to keep in mind something I heard a long time ago (wish I knew who to credit it to, but I don't):

Everybody's a little crazy, some of us just get caught at it.

ned

 

[DigitalFudge]

I have always wanted to be with a guy that was crazy. It sounds thrilling to wake up and not know what to expect.


@OP

You sound completely docile and I bet I'm more to handle than you are. I doubt you have anything to worry about.

Glad you are opening up to yourself

 

[Seasoned]

You're being treated and are diligent about your meds. You sound like more of a catch than the undiagnosed who are running around attracting people. Be yourself. Let people get to know you and share what you need to share. Good luck to you.