I'm 21F, he's 21M. I would have had no idea unless he told me. He's a junior at one of the big 3 military service academies and I'm a junior at a regular college. Obviously, he's very smart and goes through a lot at the academy (physically, mentally, academically). We met through a friend of a friend about three months ago now and have been getting close since. We're definitely still getting to know each other.

He disclosed to me when drunk two weekends ago that he has bipolar disorder. He didn't go into much detail beyond, but kept repeating that he was a monster and that I'm better off without him/too good for him. I obviously don't believe this to be true and I really do think I'm starting to like him/become attached to him. I do not know if he's on medication or in therapy, but I'm assuming he's not considering his military status. I don't really feel like it's my place to ask right now either.

It's really against everything in me to ever not give someone a chance just because they have a mental illness. I have panic disorder myself, but I understand how different that is from BPD. I don't know anyone who is bipolar so my knowledge of how it affects interpersonal relationships is somewhat limited.

I haven't noticed anything in his behavior towards me to date, but what I have noticed is that he has a tendency to get in quite a lot of physical fights, especially when drunk. I'd be lying if I said that that didn't concern me but I'm trying not to make assumptions. He's only been in one in front of me so far and it did startle me a bit.

I really hope that nothing I wrote here comes off as ignorant or anything. I really do want to give him a chance and I want to learn more about BPD.

Thanks in advance for any advice!