Does My Partner Have Bipolar

Other Options To Try At Home

Treatment can come in other forms as well. Practicing regular exercising and anaerobic exercises can help depression and anxiety. Additionally, exercise can promote a better sleep schedule. Couples counseling is also an option as well, continuing to improve and nurture your relationship can be very beneficial.;

Keeping a life chart of your mood changes and swings can be very useful for you and your spouse. Over time, this information can become useful in seeing patterns during and after treatment. This info can also be shared with your therapist for improved treatment.;

Does Bipolar Disorder Ruin Relationships

Like all individuals, people with bipolar disorder have many good attributes, and at times, they also display less desirable qualities, such as being withdrawn, verbally abusive, irritable, moody, and depression.;

They might feel affectionate and loving sometimes and cold and distant at other times. The person might welcome and enjoy sex one day, while rejecting affection the next day.;

Its tricky when neither of you knows if its bipolar disorder behind the tension and trouble between the two of you or not. The individual may not realize they have bipolar disorder.

First, seek to understand what your spouse is going through and listen closely to the answer. The list of symptoms between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 are clear.

If your spouse refuses treatment, learn to protect yourself and any children from misconduct. This can take the form of:

• Verbal offense
• Financial misuse
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse

However, when your spouse fully accepts the diagnosis and resolves to get treatment, its a sign you can begin working together and develop your marriage stronger than ever.

Many people with bipolar disorder have happy, successful marriages.;

Explicitation Of The Data

We analysed the data by employing the steps outlined by Hycner . This explicitation process includes five steps or phases as follows

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Coping With The Difficulties And Looking After Yourself

There is a lot of confusion about what bipolar disorder is, despite the fact that approximately 2.6% of the population is diagnosed with the condition. To anyone on the outside, they may have very little idea of the severity of the condition and, if youre the partner of someone with bipolar disorder, your family and friends may fail to have any real understanding of what youre going through.

Because of this, and because of the stigma which has long been associated with mental illness, being the partner of someone who has bipolar disorder can be an extremely lonely place to be. Coping with your loved ones mood swings, hyper periods, depression, and possibly violent outbursts is unbelievably hard. Although people more commonly tend to think of bipolar disorder in terms of “highs” and “lows,” there is a range of other symptoms which people with this condition may display and which, as their partner, you are responsible for helping them through.

Coping with the “highs”

Bipolar disorder is categorised into:

Bipolar 1 characterised by extreme manic episodes which can potentially last for weeks. It can be diagnosed in the absence of a depressive episode.

Bipolar 2 characterised by more “rapid cycling” and should include at least one depressive period of two weeks or longer.

Coping with the “lows”

Dealing with the threat of suicide

Being on the receiving end of anger and frustration

Psychotic episodes

Non-adherence to medication and self-medication

Care for yourself

What I Know Now

Bipolar disorder does the dirty work for me and filters out individuals who tiptoe through life. The fact is, we all have issues, whether you live with bipolar disorder or not. And if someone wont give you a chance because of a label, consider yourself lucky. Today I approach dating with one purpose to have fun. Dating experiences can teach you a lot about yourself. In an attempt to mask my vulnerability, I have found that; I can be a bit harsh and overly confident in some situations.

Living with bipolar disorder gives you a very different perspective on the world around you. You look for meaning and depth in everything. We behave based on what we feel, not necessarily what we know is right or wrong. Sometimes this can lead us to be irresponsible and careless, but if handled properly, can actually be a gift to another person.

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The Benefits Of Relationships For Those With Bipolar Disorder

Nevertheless, this does not mean that people with bipolar disorder dont want relationships. Many with bipolar disorder do want social connections with others.

Additionally, putting effort into relationships is definitely worthwhile for a persons health. Social relationships are known as protective factors when it comes to health. In fact, studies actually show an increased risk of death among those with few social relationships. One study found, lower levels of social embeddedness and social support increased the relative rate of suicide attempt. Both short- and long-term effects from relationships are felt on mental health, health behavior and physical health.

The First Signs Of Trouble

Its hard to pinpoint just when Jeff started displaying symptoms of bipolar disorder. In late 2010, he took early retirement and we moved to a different state the type of major life changes that may have a role in triggering bipolar disorder.

Throughout 2011, Jeff became increasingly lethargic and began drinking heavily. I grew frustrated with his inability to be social or make even basic decisions, but didnt recognize that alcohol was the problem. By the summer of 2013, however, we both knew his drinking was out of control. He immediately signed up for an outpatient alcohol treatment program and has not had a drink since.

Initially, sobriety seemed to make a huge difference for the better. Jeff had boundless energy and tons of enthusiasm. He became more social and involved in activities. But he also began to be very self-absorbed. Looking back, the need to be on the go all the time, irrational ideas, and apparent inability to think of anyone but himself may well have been the first signs of mania. The lethargy and drinking also could have been related to bipolar disorder.

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Encourage Treatment For Bipolar Disorder

Done are the days of electric shock therapy and unnecessary lobotomies. There are various viable treatment options now available for bipolar disorder. Because the sooner bipolar disorder is treated the better the prognosis may be, it is important to seek professional help as quickly as possible. While it may be tempting to see if your loved one will get better without treatment, this could make matters worse. All too often people with bipolar disorder will turn to drugs such as alcohol oropiatesin attempts to self-medicate. These bad habits could lead to a substance abuse problem that now also requires professional attention like our residential drug treatment in Boca.

Dating With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can become an issue from the very start of a relationship. When you first meet someone you like, it’s natural to want to make a good impression. Introducing the fact that you have bipolar disorder may not make for the most auspicious beginning. There is always the fear that you might scare the person off and lose the opportunity to get to know one another. At some point, though, you will need to let your partner know that you are bipolar.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to introduce your psychiatric problems on the first date,” Haltzman says. “But once you sense that there’s a mutual attraction and you decide to become more serious with this person, when you decide that you want to date this person exclusively, I think at that point each partner needs to come clear with what the package includes.”

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Spouses With Bipolar Disorder

Spouses with Bipolar Disorder are likely to have a different impression of their marriage than their husband or wife.

For example, a married person with Bipolar Disorder is often not aware of the full impact their disorder has on their partner, children, or other family members.

A 2001 study by Dore and Romans found significant others reported serious difficulties in their relationships with the Bipolar partner when s/he was unwell, with considerable impact on their own employment, finances, legal matters, co-parenting, and other social relationships.

Violence was a particular worry for partners when their spouse was manic. However, in spite of all this, many people stay emotionally committed to their Bipolar spouse and are very patient and forgiving of problem behaviors.

This study has one serious limitation in that it included only committed spouses not those who have divorced the Bipolar sufferer .

What is being presented here is a conflicting and contradictory portrait of the Bipolar spouse.

On the one hand we see the risk of divorce being greater due to the stressor of coping with mental health issues and on the other we have research demonstrating that marriage to someone with Bipolar Disorder is pretty typical of marriage in general.

The difference lies in getting treatment so that mood swings and manic/depressive episodes are greatly reduced in both frequency and intensity.

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Why Bipolar Lying Is Wrong

When we tell another person a lie we are behaving in a way that is controlling and contemptuous of that person. Telling someone a lie reduces the lied-to person from a subject to an object. That person cannot exercise their free will and personal judgment because they do not have all the facts. Rather, they become a prop for our playacting.3

Bipolar liars may not manipulate and attempt to control people out of malice, but mania can turn us into fantasists. And, as outlined above, there are many reasons Bipolar Disorder and lying is so tightly linked. The grandiosity, superiority, impulsivity, and loss of control experienced in a manic state contribute to the Bipolar liars attempts at controlling others and everything around them. Their goal is to create a new reality-a sort of alternative universe-that supports their delusional state. However, we have a duty when we are well to reflect on why we lie during mood episodes and to include strategies for avoiding lies in our;Treatment Contracts and Wellness Plans.

References:

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Ners May Profoundly Disagree On Exactly How To Manage The Ups And Down Of Bipolar Disorder

Managing bipolar is exactly the sort of unsolvable problem that John Gottman describes as afflicting most couples.

It is a dance of give and take around negotiable issues, and a heart-to-heart dialogue concerning each partners non-negotiable gotta have issues.

Its common for somemanaging partners to want to take over treatment as a way of managing their own stress. But attempting to marriage your bipolar marriage by managing bipolar symptoms is a never-ending conversation. It is, in the truest sense, a perpetual problem.

The Keys To Bipolar Disorder Self

Get educated. Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder. The more you know, the better youll be at assisting your own recovery.

Get moving. Exercise has a beneficial impact on mood;and may reduce the number of bipolar episodes you experience. Aerobic exercise that activates arm and leg movement such as running, walking, swimming, dancing, climbing or drumming may be especially beneficial to your brain and nervous system.

Keep stress in check. Avoid high-stress situations, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

Seek support. Its important to have people you can turn to for help and encouragement. Try joining a support group or talking to a trusted friend. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it wont mean youre a burden to others. In fact, most friends will be flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your relationship.

Stay closely connected to friends and family. Nothing is as calming to the nervous system as face-to-face contact with caring supportive people who can just listen to you talk about what youre experiencing.

Make healthy choices. Healthy sleeping and eating habits can help stabilize your moods. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is particularly important.

Monitor your moods. Keep track of your symptoms and watch for signs that your moods are swinging out of control so you can stop the problem before it starts.

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Signs The Relationship Is Unhealthy

Its possible to have a healthy, happy relationship with someone living with bipolar disorder. However, there may also be specific indicators that suggest taking another look at the relationship.

Dr. Saltz said that several signs may indicate an unhealthy relationship, particularly with a partner who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder:

• feeling that youre a caretaker in the relationship
• experiencing burnout
• sacrificing your life goals, values, and needs to be with your partner

Your partner stopping their treatments or medication could also be a cautionary sign for the future of the relationship. Also, as with any relationship, you should never feel that your partner is putting either you or themselves in danger.

Unhealthy signs go both ways. A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder may see red flags from their partner, too.

A partner who is stigmatizing and very negative about mental health issues, which is unfortunately fairly common, may be a difficult partner to have, said Dr. Saltz.

They may be often condescending or dismissive of you, You dont really have bipolar disorder, undermine your treatment, she added. For a partner diagnosed with bipolar disorder, this may be a time to take another look at the relationship.

Drugs Alcohol And Sexual Acting Out

Its almost anecdotal that undiagnosed people with bipolar appear to be constantly self-medicating. Alcohol abuse in early adulthood is a typical attempt to modulate the roller-coaster ride of mood swings.

A recent study claimed that 37% of subjects who were bipolar engaged in sexual compulsivity. Bipolar marriage breakdown often follows serial infidelity and poor management of the disorder.

Intensely damaging to this bipolar marriage. Diagnostically, the presence of hypersexuality is an indication of a possible bipolar diagnosis.

It is possible to have multiple overlapping mental health struggles. This is called having co-morbidities. You could, for example, have a sex addiction, aggravated by bipolar disorder, Developmental Trauma, or both.

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Keeping A Healthy Marriage When One Of You Has Bipolar Hypersexuality

More than 4 percent of Americans experience bipolar at some point during their lives. During manic episodes, a person with bipolar may have surges in energy, an elevated mood, and sometimes a sense of invincibility. Around 40% of people with bipolar also experience hypersexuality.

When a persons sex drive is significantly higher than their partners, it can cause stress and conflict. In a person with bipolar, difficulties with impulse control can exacerbate these common relationship issues.

Couples in which one partner has bipolar hypersexuality may worry about the effects of bipolar. But bipolar hypersexuality does not have to undermine a relationship. A 2016 study found that when it comes to establishing and maintaining relationships, people with bipolar have similar outcomes to people without mental health issues. Couples may, however, report differences in sexual satisfaction as the person with bipolar experiences mood cycles.

Attitude Correction In A Bipolar Marriage: It Is A Psychiatric Condition Not A Personal Failing

The most important task is to learn about Bipolar Disorder. But just because youre up to speed, doesnt mean that you know how its going to play out in your marriage. With appropriate psycho-education, you will understand the range of symptoms and behaviors and feel in better control of your bipolar marriage. But the map is not the territory.

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Its Hard To Come To Terms With Having A Mental Illness

Even after a person learns they have bipolar disorder, it can be hard to accept the reality of it. Living with any mental illness can be really difficult and bipolar disorder has its own challenges. Sometimes people feel like if they reject the label of bipolar disorder, they can avoid some of those challenges. But bipolar disorder doesnt just go away if you ignore it.

The reality is that labels can actually set you free. Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder helps you understand what youre experiencing. It opens up treatment options that can help you feel better. And it puts you in good company with millions of other people around the world, many of whom have accomplished incredible things.

On the other hand, sometimes people who dont know any better use the word bipolar to describe someone who is actually just moody. Be careful pushing labels on people when youre not an expert yourself. If you think your friend has bipolar disorder, encourage them to see a mental health professional who can evaluate and diagnose them. You can also point them to our online bipolar test, which is an easier start than going straight to a professional.

When Someone Your Love Has Bipolar Disorder

If your loved one is struggling with bipolar disorder, you will notice certain symptoms. During mania, your loved one may have increased energy, be overly confident, speak rapidly, get distracted easily, and engage in riskier behavior. During the depression stage, your partner may experience extreme sadness, loss of energy, feelings of being worthless, social withdrawal, and suicidal thoughts.

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The Stress Of Managing The Symptoms

Treatment can help when continuous and focused effort exists. However, successful treatment can be a challenge because many people miss their up periods and the euphoria of manic episodes, so they might seek to induce those periods of elevated mood.;

It might also be that they see those periods as times when they are being their best selves and decide to stop the treatment to having it again.;

Choosing to stop taking medication affects their partner too. Together they have worked towards establishing a symptoms-free period, and this act can be perceived as a betrayal after everything they did to help their loved one feel better. You can imagine how that can impact the relationship.