People With Bipolar Disorder And Relationships – Bipolar disorder is a significant mental illness affecting around 1.3 million people in the UK alone. 1 in 5 people diagnosed with this disease take their own life. Vincent Van Gogh, one of the world’s most famous and recognized artists, suffered from both bipolar disorder and committed suicide at the age of 37. March 30, his birthday, was designated as World Bipolar Day. Along with its mission, we want to raise awareness of bipolar disorder and hopefully help eliminate the social stigma that surrounds it.
The condition, which can be treated with Bipolar Disorder treatment, is primarily characterized by severe mood swings, consisting of extreme emotional highs and lows. Alternating between episodes of mania or hypomania and depression can hold a tight grip on people’s entire existence, affecting their ability to function well in their daily roles as family members, friends, co-workers or romantic partners when left untreated. If you watched the series Succession (no spoilers!), you may have seen some of these signs in Kendall’s highs and lows during the third season.
People With Bipolar Disorder And Relationships
Becoming romantically involved and striving to maintain a healthy relationship is a beautiful journey, including its challenges. When you combine bipolar with relationships, this somewhat rocky ride can quickly grow out of proportion and turn into an emotional roller coaster. Navigating is impossibly difficult, but not impossible. The key to success involves continued commitment to bipolar disorder treatment, awareness of bipolar disorder, open communication, and mutual support. Relationship counseling for people with bipolar disorder or their partners may also prove effective.
Tips To Overcome Bipolar Disorder Relationship Patterns
The main characteristic of bipolar disorder is the severe mood swings between mania, hypomania and depression, which naturally change a person’s behavior.
During manic episodes, people with bipolar tend to be impulsive, overly energetic, enthusiastic, and reckless. You can tell if your bipolar partner is experiencing a manic episode if they talk faster than usual, stay up late, and have a high sex drive.
A manic episode can take a toll on a relationship and should not be taken lightly. The consequences of poor judgment, especially the over-enthusiastic pursuit of pleasure activities, are by far the most problematic. Examples include:
What Not To Say To Somebody With Bipolar Disorder
After every peak of mania comes the trough of depression. This is the cyclical nature of bipolar. If your partner has bipolar, it’s possible that the reason they’re limiting contact with you for a while is because they’re struggling with:
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Sometimes your bipolar partner may want all of your attention and then it may feel like they are turning on you, not wanting to go out, pick up the phone, or answer your messages. It may feel like they are completely ignoring you. But while it can be confusing to recognize the bipolar pattern and work around it, it is possible.
When Your Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder
When your bipolar partner cuts off all contact, try not to blame yourself because it’s nothing personal. They are probably struggling with an intense period of the illness, and removing themselves from your life can help manage the symptoms.
What they need now is your unconditional love and compassion. Give them time and space to work on their problems. They might feel too depressed to talk right now, but they might read your messages. Let them know they can trust you and that they are thinking of you. Take it easy with a couple of supporting texts such as:
In these more intense periods, remove yourself from worry. Instead, create positivity in your life: spend time with your loved ones or engage in your hobbies.
Connections Between Bipolar Disorder & Sex
Finally, reach out to your bipolar partner when the time is right, and they seem more emotionally stable, to discuss how their behavior is affecting your feelings.
In any couple there are obstacles to overcome. But major changes in mood pose another challenge for bipolars and their relationships. As the partner of someone with bipolar disorder, you don’t know what to expect. Hanging in this limbo can cause stress, anxiety and emotional strain.
There is no way to sugarcoat it. According to WebMD, “as many as 90% of marriages involving someone with bipolar disorder fail,” which may be due to:
Pdf) The Strong Relationship Between Bipolar And Substance Use Disorder
There are many steps that both people with bipolar disorder and their partners can take to support their relationship. Let’s break it down for each page:
As the partner of someone with bipolar, participate in their treatment and show support. Buy their medicine at the pharmacy, drive them to therapy sessions, or offer to accompany them. If your attendance at therapy sessions is appropriate, it can help:
The key to any successful relationship is honest and respectful communication from the start. As someone with bipolar disorder, try to disclose your diagnosis before committing to your partner. Being so vulnerable can be a disheartening experience. Try to make sure you feel safe and comfortable with another person. Then raise some issues
Bipolar And Relationships: What To Expect And Tips
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