Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings mania, hypomania, and depression that can strain relationships. Walking away is a personal decision, but consider it when the partnership consistently harms your mental, emotional, or physical well-being, despite efforts to support treatment.

Key signs it may be time to leave:

1. Untreated or unmanaged bipolar symptoms: If your partner refuses medication, therapy, or mood-stabilizing routines (e.g., consistent sleep, avoiding triggers like alcohol), cycles of rage, impulsivity, or severe depression persist. Manic episodes might involve reckless spending, infidelity, or aggression; depressive phases can lead to emotional withdrawal or suicidality. Without commitment to management, you're trapped in chaos.
2. Abuse in any form: Verbal, emotional, physical, or financial abuse often amplified during mood swings is non-negotiable. Bipolar doesn't excuse harm; threats, manipulation, or violence endanger you. If police involvement or restraining orders become necessary, prioritize safety.
3. Your health is deteriorating: Chronic stress from hypervigilance, walking on eggshells, or codependency can cause anxiety, depression, burnout, or PTSD-like symptoms in partners (termed "bipolar burnout"). If therapy for yourself isn't enough and resentment builds, self-preservation matters.
4. No mutual effort or boundaries: Healthy relationships require reciprocity. If you're solely the caregiver managing crises, finances, or apologies while your needs are ignored, it's unsustainable. Failed ultimatums (e.g., "Seek treatment or I leave") signal incompatibility.

Steps before deciding: Encourage professional help (psychiatrist, DBSA support groups). Set firm boundaries and attend couples therapy if safe. Document patterns for clarity.

Ultimately, leave if staying erodes your identity or future. Ending it compassionately with a safety plan, therapist guidance, and no-contact if needed allows both parties to heal. Bipolar individuals thrive with supportive, boundaried partners; you deserve peace. Seek hotlines (e.g., NAMI: 1-800-950-6264) if in crisis.