Hi all, need some good old mumsnet advice here - hopefully between you there is a wealth of advice and experience for me to use to help my situation, I'll try to briefly explain.
(Im a regular who has name changed btw)
I have met a lovely man at work. We get on well, he's very sweet and well liked and we have flirted lots. He asked me out, we went out, had a fantastic time, laughs and giggles a plenty. We kissed lots and 
got a little raunchy as we said goodbye. Then he text me a few times saying he'd had a great night, can't wait til next time etc - whilst at work we have been discreet but still very friendly, lots of smiles and sexy glances etc.
We then went on a second date with some mutual friends and he was like a different person, not tactile, no giggles etc. I thought perhaps he had been having a bad day. We ended the night with him actually crying then getting angry with me for trying to cuddle him then he got more upset and apologised repetitively and hugged me as he felt so bad for getting cross with me. I was very confused to say the least and left feeling a little giddy.
He then text me the next day to say he had something he had to tell me (I was thinking married, gay, has an std etc) but it was to tell me he has mental health problems. He is bi polar and says he has severe mood swings and struggles with it constantly. I asked why he told me and he said I needed to know if we were going to be seeing each other as more than friends and he told me he hasn't felt like this about someone for a long time 
. He hasnt told anyone else that we know, and nobody at work so I felt special he chose me to tell and keep his secret, it was so hard for him to tell me too - which is partly why I know he really does like me.
So, all seemed well. Him being bipolar didn't bother me, no more than of he had a physical health problem would really. But since then he's been odd. We've been fine whilst at work, chatting and laughing as usual but when I asked him about going out again he said he really likes me and thought it'd be ok, but he hasn't tried a relationship with anyone for years and he thought he could handle it mentally but now realises he can't - although he really likes me he feels it could harm us both mentally if he were to get into a relationship.
I just don't know what to do 
I have no idea how being bipolar makes people feel or behave. I don't know whether I should try and persuade him that I'm not some crazy girl looking to screw with his head and that I genuinely do like him for him and offer again to go out for dinner but to keep things relaxed and take time. Or perhaps he knows what he is and isn't mentally able for and I should just respect that and bow out of this one. It just seems such a shame, a few weekssvago he was so interested and told me so many times how much he liked me, how we clicked and how much he enjoyed our time together, he was so eager to meet up and go out.
So... anyone got any ideas, Id love to hear them, especially if you are bi polar or have dated someone who is. What is best to do? Is he just naturally negative and worried about things going wrong which then makes him not take chances with getting hurt (which is what I suppose we do each and every time we get close to someone).
Will I totally mess with his head if I leave it a couple of weeks and ask him out for dinner?
I never get confused about guys - but this one has my head spinning...