You know, I've wondered the exact same thing with my husband (he's bipolar, not me). Maybe we just don't know how to communicate, and that's why he always gets so mad at me. Maybe I'm saying the wrong things.

But in my case I know it's the bipolar that is barring us from communicating. I guess I was lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it). I got to know my husband before he had his first bipolar episode. He had always been "normal" for the years I've known him. And this is how I know that we don't have a communication problem - we've never had this problem before his bipolar reared it's ugly d*mn head. Plain and simple.

Have you, in previous relationships, had the same problems?

Coal

To be honest - I never have. Never have loved someone so much as this person. Never have taken the time to really work and make things better. I do love her so. I hate to hurt her and it kills me. I need to learn how to just stop and slow down and give her time to respond. It's so hard at times. Never stop fighting for the ones we love.

atticus

It's really hard to tell whether this is bipolar or not. Does your gf have a diagnosis? My husband is bipolar, but I'm usually the one who can't communicate clearly.

I know I get my mood swings ups and downs. But, I've always seemed to be a passive aggressive person. I let things build up inside of me and when I blow OMG do I blow. I does not happen that often but I know it does go only with my Bipolar. The other day I was in a down depressed mode and all I wanted to do was rip all the Chiristmas lights down off the windows, the door, even take down the Christmas tree. Yeah, this last weeks one was a bad one for me. Over it for the time being now thank goodness. I personally think we all act out differently depending what our normal behaviorlal patterns are. If something normal for us then I feel personal with BiPolar it will intensify even more. Don't get me wrong, I don't go around braking things. I just pick fights with people that normally I would let go an say nothng. Or just go into my room and stay there for a whole day and sleep. The symptoms vary so much between all of us.

Whether it is bipolar or not bipolar, it is great that you want to work on these differing styles. I had the same problem with my husband. We both worked on it and are the better for it. They say if we are both alike, then one of us is not necessary. We grow because of our differences.
My two cents

I agree with Karabearva. Also, it seems pretty normal to me that after two people fight, (who are in a relationship) one might be depressed for a while.

A communication difference, probably.