National Domestic Violence Awareness Project

loveisrespect:

It can be really hard to decide whether to give a tumultuous relationship a second chance; there was so much love there, but also so much pain. The first step is to determine what was at the root of the problem and then ask yourself “has this problem truly been fixed in a lasting and healthy way?” Here’s a really good checklist to go over before you make your decision: Should We Get Back Together?

If the trouble was stemming from your partner’s bipolar disorder, then it’s important that he take responsibility for that and create a solid plan for how he’s going to keep that from negatively affecting the relationship in the future. For example, is he seeing a therapist or taking mediation now?

It’s also possible that there were other factors besides his bipolar disorder that contributed to the problem as well. If there were, it’s important that you both know what they were so you can act accordingly. Abusive behavior can often go unrecognized in a relationship, masked as another issue such as anger management or mental illness. While they sometimes go hand-in-hand, they aren’t the same, and they should always be approached and treated differently.

We encourage you to keep an eye out for these red flags for unhealthy and abusive behavior. You can also use this quiz to see where your relationship falls on the relationship spectrum. Any red flags that you’re concerned about? Chat, text, or talk with a peer advocate today. We’re available 24/7 and would love to talk with you!