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Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

BD3New Contributor25 May 2025, 8:08 am AEST

Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

Hello, this is my first time posting and I'm reaching out for support, and at the same time I'm not sure how to put this into words.

My partner has Bipolar type two and I've been struggling lately with trusting him. We started our relationship less than a year ago. He is married (hasn't been seperated long enough to file for divorce) and has a child. He also lives with his parents and lives in another town.

I ended our relationship earlier this year as I knew he was communicating with another woman. He then engaged in a relationship with the other woman after. I don't think he realises that I'm fully aware of it, even when I mentioned it in a way that didn't lay blame or fault, he denied it.

He has shifted into a low recently and has stopped communicating with me outside of work (we work together) and has expressed that his battery is low and said that he is exhausted and just been sleeping which is why he's not communicating. Due to lack of trust from the past, this is similar behaviour to last time but not the exact same if that makes sense. This time he's not on his phone all the time, but that could be cause he's only on it when not around me. He now doesn't spend time with me when he doesn't have his daughter and seems to always have an excuse.

I don't want to be taken advantage again. His past expression of deep love for me are beautiful, he seems to communicate fine with me at work, hugs me, kisses me and tells me he loves me. Outside of work, I'm shut out, made to feel like the 'other woman'.

There is little information out there on bipolar type two so it's been hard to gain an understanding of what they go through and how best to support him without over extending myself.

2 replies

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In response to: Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

RiverSealModerator25 May 2025, 12:15 pm AEST

Re: Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

Hey @BD3, thank you for sharing your experience with the community!

It sounds like you are going through a tough time right now with your partner and his MH. You are demonstrating your resilience by sharing your story on the Forums, as it's not easy to be vulnerable with your peers. It takes courage to talk about relationship issues while sitting with the uncertainty.

I'm not sure if you have seen the SANE Factsheet about bipolar: https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/bipolar-disorder. It can be beneficial to understand how the diagnosis can impact people.

I hope the community has some insights to share with you about your relationship and how to support your parnter without over extending yourself. I'm curious if you have any things that come to mind to open a discussion?

You might like to introduce yourself here too: https://saneforums.org/t5/Welcome-and-getting-started/Welcome-Introduce-yourself-here/m-p/1149480.

Thanks again for sharing you experience with your peers!

Take care

RiverSeal

In response to: Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

LunamagnoliaCasual Contributor27 Sept 2026, 11:30 am AEST

Re: Male partner has Bipolar Type Two

I would recommend for you to read the book "Why does he do that". I got caught in a relationship for years just because of the thought "is this behaviour his bipolar?" There is much more than that unfortunately. There is mental health problems and there is abusive behaviour. They can coexist. I would say trust your gut and don't get to tangled on happy memories. You mentioned your relationship is mainly in the workplace. I think this is a red flag. Be careful and prioritize yourself. People usually are in the best behaviour on beginning of relationships if on such a short period you already saw this problems it is concerning.

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