10 things you should know if you’re dating someone who has bipolar disorder
Dating somebody who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder isn’t a walk in the park – just like any other relationship.
You shouldn’t worry or get swept up in the fear that bipolar disorder may be anything like what you’ve read about in a book or seen portrayed in a film.
Everyone is different, everyone deals with it differently and there are support networks to make sure you are never under too much pressure.
But there are a few things you should know about dating someone with bipolar.
And here are 10 of them.
1. An argument is not a sign of bipolar
Being agitated and angry may be a sign of mania – but one argument does not mean they are manic.
People with bipolar disorder have good and bad days too, y’know. It’s important that you are able to distinguish between a normal day and a symptom of bipolar.
2. Nor is bipolar a form of apology
Do not accept the illness as an excuse for treating you poorly.
Again, like above, everyone has good or bad days.
Like everyone else, a person with bipolar disorder still needs to apologise should they have said something out of line in a row.
3. Don’t use the illness as an insult
‘Have you taken your meds?’ is not an appropriate thing to say when your partner is annoyed at you for not picking up dinner when you said you would.
4. They won’t always mean what they say
Big things can erupt from something so small, and it’s important you remember – and they remember – that they don’t mean what they say when angered.
If in a manic episode, it’s likely that nasty thing they said was the bipolar talking and not them.
5. And you should be careful with your words too
Don’t purposefully try and upset somebody who is already going through a bad time.
Sure, it sucks and you may want to scream in frustration, but do it away from the situation. Don’t add fuel to the fire unnecessarily.
6. The illness does not mean your relationship will be intense
Most people who have bipolar disorder have periods of feeling ‘normal’ and, even when not, there are lots of mood stabilising medications and options for support.
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