Has any one got any tips to help make a relationship work when dating someone with bipolar?!
Question: Has any one got any tips to help make a relationship work when dating someone with bipolar.?
Answers:
Learn about their illness. You don't have to memorise facts, but if you know the basics - just type 'bipolar disorder' into Google - it'll help you understand why they act how they do.
Accept that you CAN NOT know what they're going through unless you have bipolar too. Don't say 'I understand', because you just don't.
Be on the look-out for problems. Don't think everything is a symptom - people with bipolar get happy and sad just like everyone else (as well as manic and depressed) - but if they are acting oddly, you need to do something. Ask them to give you emergency numbers - psychiatrist, therapist, etc - so that if things get out of control you can call them. You can't be expected to treat this person's symptoms, but you can and MUST be prepared to get help for them when they need it.
Look after yourself. This relationship will, in all likelihood, be tough. Make sure you take time for yourself - exercise, eat healthily, spend time with friends. You might consider some kind of counselling - someone to talk to about what you face in this relationship, and they'd help you understand bipolar disorder too.
Your first priority in this relationship is this person's health. Yes, it's nice to have fun, and yes, you should, but you have to watch out that you're not encouraging or enabling the illness. If this person stays awake for three nights in a row and is bouncing around and talking too fast and making ridiculous plans and not acting like themselves, then they're manic. You may find it entertaining at first and go along with it but it could seriously get out of hand and you need to be aware of that.
Be patient. Many people with this illness find it difficult to let people in and trust them. Be there for this person, but not always there. If they want to spend a day alone, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're severely depressed - it may just mean that they need to be alone. Let them have their space. Let them know that you're there for them and that you'll wait as long as it takes for them to realise and appreciate that.
Don't worry if you get things wrong. If you argue with them because they've been ignoring you, or because they've spent lots of money, and you don't realise that they're acting this way because of their illness, don't worry. Over time you will learn what is bipolar-related and what isn't. Nobody gets it right the first time. Be kind to yourself.
This relationship will be a rollercoaster - especially if this person isn't being treated, or if their treatment isn't working. There will be days when you feel like their carer. There will be days when you feel like there's no better feeling in the world than being with this person. There will be laughter, but there will be endless worry.
Don't let the illness put you off this person - but prepare yourself for a bumpy ride.Health Question & Answer
Accept that you CAN NOT know what they're going through unless you have bipolar too. Don't say 'I understand', because you just don't.
Be on the look-out for problems. Don't think everything is a symptom - people with bipolar get happy and sad just like everyone else (as well as manic and depressed) - but if they are acting oddly, you need to do something. Ask them to give you emergency numbers - psychiatrist, therapist, etc - so that if things get out of control you can call them. You can't be expected to treat this person's symptoms, but you can and MUST be prepared to get help for them when they need it.
Look after yourself. This relationship will, in all likelihood, be tough. Make sure you take time for yourself - exercise, eat healthily, spend time with friends. You might consider some kind of counselling - someone to talk to about what you face in this relationship, and they'd help you understand bipolar disorder too.
Your first priority in this relationship is this person's health. Yes, it's nice to have fun, and yes, you should, but you have to watch out that you're not encouraging or enabling the illness. If this person stays awake for three nights in a row and is bouncing around and talking too fast and making ridiculous plans and not acting like themselves, then they're manic. You may find it entertaining at first and go along with it but it could seriously get out of hand and you need to be aware of that.
Be patient. Many people with this illness find it difficult to let people in and trust them. Be there for this person, but not always there. If they want to spend a day alone, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're severely depressed - it may just mean that they need to be alone. Let them have their space. Let them know that you're there for them and that you'll wait as long as it takes for them to realise and appreciate that.
Don't worry if you get things wrong. If you argue with them because they've been ignoring you, or because they've spent lots of money, and you don't realise that they're acting this way because of their illness, don't worry. Over time you will learn what is bipolar-related and what isn't. Nobody gets it right the first time. Be kind to yourself.
This relationship will be a rollercoaster - especially if this person isn't being treated, or if their treatment isn't working. There will be days when you feel like their carer. There will be days when you feel like there's no better feeling in the world than being with this person. There will be laughter, but there will be endless worry.
Don't let the illness put you off this person - but prepare yourself for a bumpy ride.Health Question & Answer
Firstly it is important to make sure they take their medication. The trouble is they feel well, then think they don't need it.
Second point is to remember that some of the time they will be less easy to deal with - and to be patient during that time. Don't take offence too easily - and if they go too far let them know and walk away for a while.
I have a great friend who is bipolar - and his manic phase involves spending lots and lots of money- which he does not have! - so whatever way the disease takes them, try to distract them from over spending or over eating and drinking.
Best of luck - I hope your relationship is a good one and worth your work.
Health Question & Answer
Second point is to remember that some of the time they will be less easy to deal with - and to be patient during that time. Don't take offence too easily - and if they go too far let them know and walk away for a while.
I have a great friend who is bipolar - and his manic phase involves spending lots and lots of money- which he does not have! - so whatever way the disease takes them, try to distract them from over spending or over eating and drinking.
Best of luck - I hope your relationship is a good one and worth your work.
Health Question & Answer
See the BIPOLAR SUPPORTER website, via section 10, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and ask in the bipolar chatsites, and forums. If they require medication, ensure supplies are always kept up, and they are taken as prescribed. Create a mood chart, if none exists, and if they won't plot it, try your best to assess that mood, daily, and maintain one.Health Question & Answer
As with anyone with a medical condition, recognize the beauty of the person's spirit. Know that episodes can occur at any time, and be prepared to respond to them with knowledge, compassion and understanding.Health Question & Answer
roll with it. recognize the dual personalities and celebrate each one. it will be like dating two at once. hmmHealth Question & Answer
Just be patient and understanding.Health Question & Answer
You need to accept it and not make it worse. Health Question & Answer
Yes. Make sure they take their medication. Health Question & Answer
have patience and make sure to set your boundaries and don't let them be crossedHealth Question & Answer