How To Lovingly Date Someone With Bipolar Disorder

He didn’t spend too much time talking about it and tbh it was unexpected so I didn’t really know what to say about it. We have only had about 4 dates but he seems dedicated enough so far and we talked about some of our expectations and boundaries in relationships. I happen to be Bipolar and am offended that you think I don’t deserve love because my brain works differently than you. Everyone’s bipolar manifests a little differently but thanks for lumping all of us together.

I’ve weathered enough storms and come to understand myself and this condition so much better. The person vs The disorder – Remember, when things are really tough and unbearable that this is a disorder that nobody wants especially the person in front of you, they didn’t have a choice. “Very often he gives a helpful perspective and asks good coaching questions, but I don’t put the onus of making me feel better on him,” she says. King finds relief through self-reflection, frequent exercise, multiple hobbies, and having creative outlets. For Ayetoro, journaling and deep breathing practices help to bring her peace.

A look into being bipolar

This means that if you have strong feelings for someone with narcissism, there is hope and you don’t necessarily need to end the relationship right away. Has your date been overwhelming you with affectionate texts from the get-go? Narcissistic personality disorder is a Cluster B personality disorder characterized by an over-inflated sense of self, lack of empathy, and an intense need for admiration. If your friend or family member needs more assistance than you can give, ask for help from others. Turn to other relatives or close friends, or contact a bipolar disorder support organization.

What does it mean if your partner is bipolar?

For the spouse of the bipolar person, knowing when to offer help involves recognizing how your partner is feeling. “You really have to work at it to understand what the other person is going through,” McNulty tells WebMD. “And you have to be alert to their moods.” McNulty is now remarried to a woman who also has bipolar disorder.

Whether you have bipolar disorder or youre in a relationship with someone who does, finding help doesnt have to be difficult. If you are sure you can trust the one you are dating, ask them to give you feedback if something seems wrong from the outside. Sometimes we get used to the symptoms so much it is no longer treated as a deviation, that is why somebody else can notice a change even before a manic or depressive episode actually strikes at full force. You need to be the mature partner in your relationship with a person with bipolar disorder. You need to maintain your calm and communicate the right things in the right way to diffuse the situation.

“That’s because you want to pull them out of their shell and you don’t know how to do it.” Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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People with borderline personality disorder may go through relationship cycles and stages. You may also face some misunderstandings, so it’s a good idea to avoid getting defensive when your partner misreads you. Clarification and reassurance will go a long way when dating someone with borderline personality. If your partner is living with borderline personality disorder, and you’re not, you may be curious about how to overcome obstacles together. I also process with my clients how to disclose this information to people they are dating and even role play this conversation with them. This can help lessen the anxiety as well as help them create a plan on how they want to address this with their partners.

You may consider seeing a therapist for yourself, as a means of evaluating your own thoughts and stresses from being in a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder. If you are currently dating someone with bipolar disorder, you may struggle with a number of challenges like how you can support them while still caring for yourself. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research.

BPD is recognized as a personality disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the resource mental health professionals refer to when making a diagnosis. According to the DSM-5, BPD is diagnosed mostly in females. And while it’s not known exactly what causes the disorder, genetics and environment are risk factors. If you suspect you’re dating a narcissist, it might be hard to know exactly what to do next, especially if you have feelings for them. Narcissism is a mental health condition, which means they are not choosing to be this way. Be realistic about the amount of care you’re able to provide without feeling overwhelmed and resentful.

A bipolar diagnosis is not your girlfriend or boyfriend having mood swings. It can be truly difficult to form a meaningful relationship when someone has bipolar disorder I or II. Dating someone with bipolar disorder could mean they constantly second-guess their decisions about being in the relationship. However, it should be of some comfort to know that if they are talking with you about their bipolar diagnosis, it’s a good sign that they trust you, and are doing it for the benefit of the relationship.

When it feels natural, it’s a good idea to openly express how you feel as often as you can. Someone with BPD will experience these symptoms intensely and persistently and in many situations. Many of the core symptoms of BPD are things that most people can resonate with to some degree, says Mallory Frayn, a clinical psychologist in Montreal, Canada. You meet the same person at two different parties and have to convince them you’re not your pain-in-the-ass twin brother. When you’re manic, nothing makes you angrier than someone suggesting you’re irritable. Your depressive spells make you forgetful, which is a shame because if you thought about your manic stages it might cheer you up.