This sounds like a lot of relationships to me... ha.  But you should go see a therapist with him.  If you two care about each other you can work it out!  <3

@Chibi_Son_Gokou@xanga - No offense but this guy isn't going to cure a mental disorder.

Having come from a home where my mother was bipolar, I'm going to highly recommend that you get him to see someone and have them prescribe him some medication. I'd even go as far as to say he may need lithium. Furthermore, he really needs to see a therapist, he has a lot of personal issues from his family and also coming from a similar background with regards to verbally/emotionally abusive parents I can also tell you that it's either going to stay as is or get worse, most likely get worse.

If he refuses to see somebody or at least get on medication then I'm going to recommend giving him an ultimatum. Either he gets help or you leave. It may be painful to do so but if he doesn't get help this going to wear you down a great deal and cause a lot of unneeded stress and pain; and ultimately it will lead to the end of the relationship anyways.

Untreated, bipolar disorder can lead to a lot of poor behavior and coping mechanisms. Alcoholism, drug addiction, anything that people use to numb themselves. So again, HE NEEDS HELP!

Get him to get help or get help with him is the simplest answer.

To be in a healthy relationship, you have to be in a stable relationship with yourself. I've always believed that before you can love another person you must love yourself first. I was in your shoes once and you can try and try to make him open up to you, feel better about himself, comfort him, but it won't work only because he won't change for you and more importantly, himself. He needs professional help as soon as possible. Like others have mentioned, if his disorder goes untreated it can lead to other problems. I hope everything works out for you two. 

Get out of there. Get. Out. Of. There. GET OUT OF THERE. GET... OUT... OF... THERE!!!

Everything that needs to be said has already been said. I do want to point out that medication is not a necessity for bipolar disorder or any disorder. It's a great crutch but there are several people who live stable lives without medication. Also, someone else mentioned Lithium, and I'd be careful about recommending any specific medications over the net. Yes, it's commonly prescribed to bipolar people, but it has several bad side effects, especially if taken over long period of time. You have to get your blood monitored - regularly - and it's a huge hassle. I admit that it did do wonders for me, but it also ended up giving me a thyroid condition. It really does seem to be a last resort medication, and I'd advise the OP to make sure her boyfriend looks into every possible treatment before settling for Lithium. I'm a personal believer that therapy and therapy alone should be your first attempt. If that doesn't help you, consider medication. I lived medicated, off and on (us mental folk are bad about stopping meds) for about 4 years. I've been off of medicine for just under a year now and I'm doing just as well now as I was medicated. Medicine won't fix your boyfriend. It's almost all about lifestyle changes. Changing your attitude, changing your surroundings, stepping out of your comfort zone, and most importantly...learning how to deal with your condition. For BPD, that'd include knowing your triggers and knowing how to avoid/deal with them. It also includes realizing when you're in a manic/depressive state and how to get stabilized again. It goes so much deeper than one pill, or even a handful. Just remember that.

If I had to take what I've learned from my past relationship with a similar dilemma, communication is key! Take baby steps, when you find yourself in a situation where you need him and he's shutting down, let that boy know! Not in a mean way of course, but just tell him, whatever the situation is where you find yourself needing him ("I know you feel like it's your fault but it's not, and right now all that I really need is a hug) and see where it goes from there. 

@lilblucherrygrl@xanga - The only problem with getting medication, is finding ways to get it and if you don't have insurance, you're pretty much shit out of luck. Also, through my experience (I'm bipolar) trying to find programs, free clinics is a bitch to do and when you do get help, they don't help too much. Bipolar medication is expensive. 

@CrisaRei@xanga - The thing is not everyone with bipolar disorder needs medication. He may still have good and bad days but it depends on the severity of it. To normal people that date those that have mental disorders, it may seem medication can fix it, but in the end, it may be a greater clutch and a bigger problem (everyone responds to medication differently)and it may not be severe enough to warrant medication though. A therapist or counselor does sound good as well. That can help probably more.

@heybrighteyes@xanga - I don't know if I believe that, because I've been/am I in healthy relationships and I'm not stable with myself in any way(never been). I'm still struggling on a lot of fronts but my bf has made me a lot of healthier in a number of ways. He has helped me more than I could ever do.

@Guteman91 - Not every untreated bipolar disorder goes onto that path. It depends on a lot of things like severity, support or lack of it etc;  Many people live with it without medication etc; Also I wouldn't suggest a drug like lithium quite readily. It's a very dangerous drug and one that shouldn't be taken without caution or suggested lightly. 

The thing to note is, if you're going to sign up for the long run if not, I suggest you get out. Bipolar disorder is entirely destructive and very selfish and you have to be willing to commit to helping him when he's like this. Also know that medication doesn't cure the disorder unlike what others claim. It's not a cure all to everything, he'll still have good and bad days. Not to mention that it's hard for any normal person to cope with someone that is bipolar, it's hard to distinguish what is severe and what is mild and since I don't know how severe he is, I'm going to assume that it is pretty mild (unless corrected). But for his other issues, I do suggest for him to talk to a counselor but then I again understand how he probably would feel about it. 

If you do intend to stick with him in the long end, you have to show up patience and real understanding for what he is going through. Either way, it's still very difficult what he is going through but either way, you're under no obligation to stay if you don't want to. You're probably not ready for this kind of responsibility and task. Not many people are.

It seems like you're hesitating and that seems to me like you won't last in this sort of relationship. To be honest, I'm a lot like your bf. I have a lot of issues and I'm bipolar too but my bf is deeply committed and devoted to me. He understands and forgives me when my disorder takes control (I can't afford medication. I've tried every way)and he's here a hundred percent without question.

Sometimes bipolar people can't get help they need. I know I am tightly in a bind. 

Though I'd listen to @xcrownedhopeless - because she's right. It's more than medication but lifestyle changes around and the realization that you'd have to deal with this with the rest of your life(from him at least). Though at the very least @mylittlepetunia@xanga - 's advice should be taken. You should talk to him about this open and honestly and then decide from there.

I recommend he goes to therapy.

He can't have a normal healthy relationship unless he handles his own personal demons. You can't "fix" him, and it sounds like that is exactly what you are trying to do. By "comforting him" you are enabling him. He needs to stand on his own two feet.

Everyone has a story, everyone has something that allows them an excuse (I.E his "hard" childhood.) It's just an excuse.

As for his Bipolar Disorder, if he has been medically diagnosed I would have him at the VERY least speaking with a professional about the possibility of medications to assist in stabilizing his moods.

The fact that you have been together for "more then 6 months' makes it sound like it hasn't been that long at all, too short of a time (in MY opinion) to have "issues" as a couple you need to work through.

@cheesecakeloverk@xanga - The point is, you can't force someone to get help, especially if they're not ready for it. If he continually shuts down and refuses to communicate, there is hardly any way to salvage the relationship. Not unless the OP wants to be in a weird limbo for the rest of her life where she's dating someone who doesn't even know how to live with himself, yet alone someone else.

No, it's not his fault he has a disorder, no more than it's my fault I have mine. The point is, though, that he isn't trying to get better, either by himself or in the relationship. And she doesn't know how to help him. Unless she's a psych major with lots of experience with these sorts of things, she probably can't do much. Rather than continue fighting and scarring his dating impressions for the rest of his life, why not cut it clean and move on?

Anyway, it seems like the whole point of your comment is to put the responsibility of his recovery on the OP. It's not on her. It's on him. He's an individual who should be able to stand on his own two feet. How he reacts to her doing anything is not really her problem, unless she chooses to make it so. What you're suggesting is that they breed themselves a codependent relationship that could easily go down the lane of emotional or mental abuse.

Just remember, Huey Lewis says that it's hip to be square.