Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a common mental illness in which the majority of America suffers from. Most cases have not been diagnosed, but that does not mean they do not have it. Having bipolar is like being an emotional ticking time bomb, bound to go off any second if provoked. Highs and lows of bipolar can change within seconds of each other or could last longer and then switch. The highs of bipolar can cause impulsive and reckless behavior such as

• Talking quickly
• Buying items even though they do not have the money, possibly causing themselves to go into debt
• Becoming extremely hyper
• Feeling as if they are better than everyone else. High on the throne looking down on everyone.
• Hallucinations, seeing things that are not there is very common with bipolar highs.
• Even cheating on your partner can be a cause of the reckless behavior of bipolar.

As for bipolar lows, there are different symptoms.

• Mild depression
• Suicidal thoughts (If you have these thoughts please contact the suicide prevention center)
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Anxiety attacks
• The inability to concentrate

It is not easy to be with someone who is struggling with bipolar disorder. Constantly trying to make them happy, but yet you seem as if you are failing every way you turn. You have to remember even though we might get irritated quickly or upset about something small, we are struggling. We battle ourselves every day to function normally. We often wonder what it would be like to think like people who do not have any type of mental illness. Some of us don't think of what our partners are going through, dealing with our mood swings every day. Try to see the perspective from each point of view.

Everyone has some type of issue in their relationships, but it can be resolved. As for those who love someone with bipolar disorder, it can be a lot harder to resolve the issues. People with bipolar disorder only see it there way, they do not like to see it someone else's way. It takes a lot of communication with this specific type of relationship to resolve any type of issue. In some cases, it may take weeks to years to resolve an issue. Bipolar disorder patients take things very close to their hearts and are able to hold grudges for many years. We wish we would not hold grudges that long, because we do not want to be bothered by those reoccurring thoughts. It is easy to love someone with bipolar disorder, but it is hard to keep a solid relationship. Having bipolar disorder can feel like you have restraints holding you down. Talking to your partner about what they go through can help you understand a little more of what they go through on a daily bases. The more you communicate with your loved one, the more you will be able to find a connection that will work for you both. By making this connection you both will be able to rekindle your relationship if you are having issues. If you think that medication could be good for your partner, feel free to mention it, but do not be a pill pusher or you could cause further issues in your relationship.

Therapy can provide you with very vital information to help you understand your partner.

• Psychoanalysis therapies
• Behavior therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• Humanistic therapy
• Existential therapy
• Holistic therapy

By joining them in whatever type of therapy they are in, this will show support towards your partner. They need you now more than ever. Supporting your partner can make them feel loved and cared for. Try doing more activities with your loved one. I am not by any means a medical professional. I simply speak from experience.