I am very much in love with someone who has bp! I also agree that his bp does not define him in anyway-he suffers from it, but it is not who he is. He is a seriously amazing person regardless of his bp or borderline personality disorder. We've been off and on for 14 months because he keeps trying to protect me, but I won't go anywhere! Everyone who has bp does not have to be alone. I think some choose that because its easier and they may also feel like a burden, but there are many people out there who will love you regardless of your 'problems'. I am now doing everything I can to learn as much as I can about my bf's so that maybe I can help him somehow. I am devoted to him and love him. I will stay with him for as long as he still loves me. Just because you have bp does not mean you are destined to die alone. I am proof of that-I do not have it, but will happily spend my life with someone who does-him! I've lost enough in my life to truly know when someone is worth holding onto and he is more than worth it! I couldn't imagine ever giving him up because it gets hhard sometimes! He just has to realize that I'm really strong enough to handle his lows, he doesn't have to protect me or take care of me, and hopefully I'll get tough enough to not accept it when he doesn't call during his lows-he told me to just show up, so hopefully I can ignore my insecurities enough to do that if/when the time comes again. As long as I know he love me too, he won't be able to get rid of me! And I am positive there are many others out there like me who won't leave because of bp. Suggesting that your partner learns as much as possible about your bp, depression, bpd, whatever, can help the relationship! If they truly love you, they won't have a problem doing this! I didn't when he suggested it and wish I had done it sooner. Maybe then I would've stopped blaming myself much sooner for a lot of his symptoms and lows-I would've realized it wasn't my fault he was 'leaving' and I would've been more 'pushy' to be there when he needed me most but was unable to ask for it! Honesty and getting educated, I believe, are the most powerful weapons against bp, bpd, depression, and everything, and keeping your relationships intact! Don't be afraid to say the truth to your loved ones, don't be afraid to ask for them to get educated, don't be afraid to ask for help, don't be afraid to ask them to lay down with you when you just can't get up, and for when you just can't ask for whatever reason, make it clear that you want them there even when you can't or won't say it! That honesty has helped me a lot, the gf of someone with bpd and bipolar. When he was able to say it, he did, and I'm even more invested in this than I was before. Of course it can get hard for everyone involved, but I believe its worth it in my case. It's up to other people if theyy think it'd be worth it, too!