Being in a healthy relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder necessitates not just careful management of their disease, but also making time for yourself. It's important to let your partner know that you need time alone, too.
If you are in a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder, here are some tips for ensuring that the love you share is strong enough to last:
Give each other space. Someone who has bipolar disorder cannot handle being constantly surrounded by their emotions. In fact, stress can make symptoms of the disease worse. So as much as you want to take care of him or her, give them some time away from your touch. This will help both of you stay balanced.
Take care of yourself, too. Just as your loved one needs space, so do you. Put some time aside every day for yourself. Go for a walk, call a friend, watch something funny on TV. Avoid letting depression or mania swallow up your life completely, or you won't be able to help your partner.
Know when to put yourself first. Everyone in the relationship has different needs at different times. If your partner wants to be taken care of all the time, they probably need a roommate not a wife/husband.
Dating someone with bipolar disorder can be difficult since you have no control over when your partner's mood shifts. Focus on communication, support your partner's treatment plan, and don't forget to take care of yourself to make your relationship flourish. If you feel like you're not being loved back, know that you are and that they just need time to come to terms with their diagnosis.
Relationships with someone who suffers from bipolar disorder
When dating someone with bipolar disorder, it is critical to know that their illness is only a piece of their life puzzle, not their entire personality. First and foremost, a person's bipolar disease influences their behavior, demeanor, and relationships to a major extent. Knowing how they react to stress and difficult situations can help you understand why they act or say something certain ways.
Bipolar people tend to be very emotional. They may have long periods of sadness or depression without the usual lift that comes with laughter and joy. This is because bipolar disorder affects the brain's ability to produce happiness. It also causes people to think and behave in ways that may not be good for them. For example, they may spend too much time thinking about what happened yesterday or tomorrow will be like without go out and have some fun.
People with bipolar disorder may appear distracted or uninterested but are actually processing information through its events and connections to other things. When they seem quiet or withdrawn, it is probably because they are trying to avoid an argument or feeling depressed.
Those who love someone with bipolar disorder should never hesitate to get help if they see signs of trouble. Depression is one of the most common symptoms of bipolar disorder and can be hard to diagnose.