pms and menopause can show definite signs of mental instability that's for sure...lol

You know that saying, "Water seeks its own level"? It's pretty much true. This time, I'm actually the less stable but more experienced on the topic. I'm absolutely amazed by her level of understanding, even in my most acute states, mostly based on fear of being hurt, or my brain misinterpreting her. I never get far, at most 3 days, before her kindness reels me back in. The last episode, was down to a half day, at which point I pulled away and drove to a job site. By the time I was enroute back home and gotten a handle on my emotions and thoughts, she had gotten a text from me telling her I love her and apologizing for taking so long to tell her.

It probably helps a lot that we're both open and honest with each other, and then again, for at least me, my own mental illness isn't stigma matter. It's a part of what makes me who I am, and in many ways, is a gift, in fact such a gift that in my field, I'm actually the best. There's really no room for shame when it comes to mental illness. The shame would be to deny the gifts that come with it, as well as the level of intimacy two people are capable of, even with mental illness, and sometimes especially because of it. I have no reason to hide my illness.

Bipolar II, alcoholic, sober 6 1/2 years, and recovering JW, non-religious 29 years.