Bipolar in Love
Being in a relationship with someone who has bipolar, or being bipolar and being in a relationship, is just like any other relationship when you get to the core of it, there are ups and downs (pun intended) and some of the most important aspects are open lines of communication, honesty, understanding and respect.
Honesty is very important in a relationship involving a mental illness, because when it comes to the emotions and sometimes actions of a mentally ill person, logic and basic knowledge won’t help. It is important for the diagnosed person to be honest with their partner about their disorder, treatment plan, and feelings. Honestly is especially important in this situation, because of the mood swings that will occur. Your partner has every right not only to know what to expect during an episode, but also the warning signs leading up to one. And as the partner in this scenario, it’s very important to be educated on the disorder you’re loved on is dealing with daily. Knowledge isn’t a magic cure all, but it can make things much easier.
The disorder is never an excuse. While it’s true that during certain stages a person with bipolar disorder can become very impulsive and do things that seem out of their normal behavior pattern, if these are things that severely affect the relationship (cheating, abuse, drug use), serious discussions and considerations need to be made. While bipolar disorder itself isn’t a reason a person couldn’t have a successful relationship, how under control the disorder is, is. If you’re the partner to someone with BD, times might get trying and it’s important that you take care of yourself. As in any relationship, you can’t be good to someone if you’re not good to yourself. Just because a person has a disorder, is no reason to neglect yourself, cause yourself to become unhappy, or stay in a loveless relationship. On that same note, if you have bipolar disorder, that doesn’t mean you need to settle or put up with anyone who will be with you. Having a mental illness or disorder doesn’t make you broken or unworthy of love. If you’re partner doesn’t treat you right, leave. You’re just as deserving of a healthy, happy relationship as any other human being.
This relationship might be slightly different, but it still requires the same nutriment, patience, and butterflies in the stomach that any relationship takes to be successful.
