Monday, March 25, 2024

How To Break Up With Someone Who Is Bipolar

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Improve Your Next Speech

Breaking Up With A Bipolar Person You’re Still In Love With

As mentioned before, practice does make perfect. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, try asking someone to film you during a speech or presentation. Afterwards, watch and observe what you can do to improve yourself next time.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself after every speech:

  • Are there any areas for improvement?
  • Did I sound or look stressed?
  • Did I stumble on my words? Why?
  • Was I saying um too often?
  • How was the flow of the speech?

Write everything you observed down and keep practicing and improving. In time, youll be able to better manage your fears of public speaking and appear more confident when it counts.

If you want even more tips about public speaking or delivering a great presentation, check out these articles too:

Constructive Things To Try Before Saying Goodbye

There are several things you can try to preserve the relationship.

First, remember why youre in the relationship. You probably got involved with this person and picked this person because there are lots of things that you like and love about this person, said Dr. Saltz.

She suggested educating yourself about bipolar disorder to better understand the condition. It also helps to learn to recognize signs of depression or hypomania so that you can advise your partner to talk with their healthcare provider if needed.

Dr. Saltz also recommended encouraging your partner to continue treatment and taking any prescribed medications.

Sometimes, when people have been stable for a while, theyre sort of like, Oh, I dont think I need any of this anymore. Usually thats a bad idea, she said.

Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, said that you can also support your partner by offering gentle, nonjudgmental supervision and guidance and encouraging healthy behaviors.

These behaviors include:

Additionally, he suggested that your partner identify three trusted people to check in with if theyre feeling off.

Let those people then provide an average sort of score, and say, Hey, yeah. You are a little hot-headed, or you are a little down, or whatever they may offer, he said.

They Miss Perceiving The World As They Did Prior To The Disorder

Depression and mania can cause ones perception of the world to change dramatically. This can be both exhausting and frustrating. When the medications start to balance out and things begin to stabilize, the individual may again see things through a more normal lens. This can be a great feeling, but it can also be frightening because its unclear if this will last.

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When To Say Goodbye

Dr. Dimitriu advised against breaking up when your partner is having a manic episode.

A lot of times, I think theres nothing that you can say that will convince the other person anything, if theyre really on the mania side, he said.

The biggest thing, I think, actually, is to delay the breakup if thats happening and just have a cooling off period, he added.

After that, Dont make big decisions unless your three friends have said that youre in an even place. And that includes the relationship.

How Mental Illness Can Make Breakups Trickier

3 Ways to Break Up With Someone Who Is Threatening Suicide

Deciding whether or not to end a relationship is a hard decision. Yes, it sucks to get dumped, but it also sucks to be the one doing the dumping. Things can be even trickier when youre contemplating breaking up with someone who has a mental illness. You might feel guilty or feel like youre a bad person for breaking up with a partner due to something thats out of their control and causes them to suffer. You might also be afraid that their condition will worsen if you leave.Mental illness alone is no excuse to break up with someone. Loads of people with mental health conditions are able to enjoy long lasting, fulfilling, happy relationships. Just because someone is depressed, has anxiety, or , doesnt mean you should write them off. A condition in and of itself is not a reason to break up with somebody.

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When A Bipolar Heart Breaks

Its not easy feeling so intensely. I try to pull back. I try to not feel this way. If I could feel less, maybe I would. They give me drugs that supposedly help me to feel less. Ive been on drugs that do that even more, but its hard to go back to black and white once youve seen a rainbow. So you try to find a balance that still lets you enjoy life without letting it swallow you whole.

To everyone who reached out, I cant thank you enough. Im sorry to keep doing this to you. It feels like it happens far too often. I dont want to be the boy who cried wolf. This isnt some act. This isnt some overdramatization. Its hard to feel like you want to die when someone breaks your heart. Its hard to share with others that you care about someone in a way that you feel ashamed to feel. Its hard to feel like folks wont be as happy about it as you are. Its hard to know theyre trying to look out for you, but it only makes you feel more isolated because they dont understand how this girl is different. Its hard to understand exactly where theyre coming from and begin to question your own passion for someone. Its hard to feel like youre crazy

I felt so lost this morning, wishing yesterday was just a bad dream.

And not just wake up, but jump out of bed! I was excited for life in a way that I havent been in years. She was my hope for a better future.

I guess its good that time makes us forget. In time, Ill forget how good it can feel.

But right now, I remember.

Every time.

Be Patient With Them And With Yourself

Not only is it important for you to be patient with your partner, but its equally important to take it easy on yourself. The more you learn about this disorder, the easier it is to be patient with your partner when theyre experiencing mania. However, caring for a spouse who has this disorder 24/7 can burn anyone out. Dont wait until youre about to explode with frustration to take a break. Patience is developed from habit. If youre feeling overwhelmed and youre able to, go to another room and breathe. Also, try to incorporate self-care into your routine by going for walks, practicing yoga, watching a favorite movie, or doing anything else you enjoy.

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Sometimes You Have To Say Goodbye To Someone With A Mental Illness

As I write this I weep for my brother. I weep for his pain. I weep for what hes going through. I weep for what I know drives him to his behavior. I weep for his mentally ill brain.

And I weep for me. Because the white-haired boy hiding under the covers is gone. And theres nothing I can do to bring him back.

To Those Who Have Left A Person With A Mental Illness

BIPOLAR DISORDER: Relationship, Dating, or Breakup? (PLEASE WATCH)

I think its important to remember that you deserve safety, sanity and happiness in this life. Its important to remember that just because someone insists on dragging his own life to the bottom of the ocean, doesnt mean that you have to let them drag you there too.

Yes, I said insists. That is because when were an adult we have to take some responsibility for the choices that we make. Yes, some of those choices are deluded by illness, but we still choices: treatment or not, abuse someone or not, pick up the crack pipe or not. No one lives an entire life without the wherewithal to make a different choice. Ask anyone with a serious mental illness. They did it. Others can too.

And I share with you this sentiment that interventionists have shared with people dealing with drug addicts:

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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.

What Are Some Other Resources

  • r/bipolarSOs – a subreddit for significant others, friends and family to ask questions and gain a better understanding.
  • r/bipolar – a good informational subreddit, but the admin do not particularly like questions about relationship break-ups being posted there.
  • r/bipolarreddit – another good informational subreddit, which has different admin who are a little less averse to relationship break-up questions.
  • Bipolar Manifesto: A link to an informational site set up and maintained by a very lovely, helpful man in his 50s who has bipolar 2.
  • Al Anon for Families – if your partner is struggling with addiction, this support group and the 12 step program will help you come to terms and accept your partner’s illness and their addiction. It has been a major help to me personally. While it was originally designed for families of alcoholics, they should accept family members of other addicts such as drugs, gambling, etc, especially if the group is in a rural area without a lot of other support.

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Learn More About The Disorder

The best way to help someone with bipolar disorder is to learn as much as you can about it. Its difficult to be calm and to understand the persons actions and symptoms without being educated on the condition. Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder and mental health so you can be there for your partner to the best of your abilities.

Do All Bipolar Relationships Fail

Breaking Up Because of Mental Illness

There are many misconceptions when it comes to Bipolar disorder or any mental illness for that matter. One of them is that bipolar and relationships are not a good match, and eventually, the disorder ruins the bond.;

However, it is important to recognize that it is NOT a fact that bipolar destroys relationships. Dating or living with someone with bipolar may produce additional challenges stemming from battling the mental disorder. However, this does not mean that ALL bipolar relationships fail.;

Another common misconception is related to what people perceive as reasons why bipolar relationships fail. Many would attribute the bipolar breakup to the illness itself or the consequences of managing the symptoms. They might believe that syndrome is always the root cause of bipolar marriage breakdown.;

However, relationships end for various reasons, and thinking that diagnosis is the key or main reason is fortifying the stigma that exists regarding mental illnesses. The truth is that the diagnosis is only part of the equation for the bipolar breakup.

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Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder Can Feel Like Riding A Roller Coaster

Bipolar disorder is one of the most severe mental disorders a person can have. The lives of those suffering from it are hugely impacted by it.

While other disorders, such as depression and anxiety, may function in cycles or waves, bipolar disorder requires constant, vigilant management. The disorder is typically managed by daily medication and talk therapy.

The trademark of bipolar disorder is a major mood imbalance. The person may go from depressed to a manic state, or may experience other shifts in mood that affect the person’s ability to function. People who have bipolar disorder often have a hard time sleeping. It’s not unusual for someone unmedicated with this disorder to be up for two or three days straight, because their mind and body simply won’t let them sleep.

How do these symptoms affect the loved ones of these people? They have a big impact. Parents, siblings, friends, and co-workers see these individuals pass between depression and mania, and they see what a toll it takes on them. One of the realities for loved ones is they begin to understand that they cannot expect the person to be consistent; they know the mood and behavior can significantly change.

How Can I Help My Partner In An Episode

  • Work out a plan with them while stable, and follow it – for example, where will they go? Who will you call? Will you cut up their credit cards? When is it time to call 911?
  • Care for them, even if it’s something small like cooking for them.
  • Reassure them that you love them.
  • Ask other friends or family members for help.
  • Keep your distance and support from afar if they are getting distressed by you being there. They know you love them, even if the illness is telling them something else.

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Tips For Getting Over A Breakup

A bad breakup, especially one that is unexpected, can cause all sorts of feelings that interfere with your everyday life. Though it may be tempting to shut the world out and wallow in bed, life will continue around you so it’s important to keep moving forward. Here are 10 tips for getting over a breakup.

Cut Contact

;The first step to getting over any breakup is to cut off all contact with your ex-partner. Going no-contact will be difficult at first, but it is the only way to start living a new life that doesn’t include your ex.

Any conversations with your ex, no matter how small, will bring up old memories that will interfere with your breakup recovery process. If you really need to tell something important to your ex, have a friend or family member pass on your message instead.

Eliminate Reminders

Anything that reminds you of your ex should be donated, thrown out, or hidden away until such time as you are ready to see them again. This could include gifts they bought you, items you bought together, pictures, and love letters.

;It is also a good idea to delete your ex off of social media so you don’t accidentally see any reminders while scrolling through your news feeds. Then, make sure to go through your phone and delete any photos you have there as well.

Stay Healthy

;Keep Busy

Let It Out

Avoid Rebounds

;Pamper Yourself

;Dance It Out

Give It Time;

Look Forward

Podcast: Should I Date Someone With Bipolar Disorder

BIPOLAR RELATIONSHIPS: Hypersexuality, Cheating, Breakups & Detachment.

Can a relationship work when one person has severe mental illness? In todays Not Crazy podcast, Gabe and Lisa discuss dating with bipolar disorder. They share their own story of dating, marrying and divorcing under the umbrella of Gabes bipolar diagnosis, and discuss the ups and downs from both perspectives.

What are some positive signs that the relationship can last? And what are the clues that you might need to call it quits? Tune in for a heartfelt discussion on living and dating with severe mental illness.

Please Subscribe to Our Show: And We Love Written Reviews!

About The Not Crazy podcast Hosts

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from ; signed copies are also available directly from Gabe Howard.To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

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Figure Out Your Level Of Involvement

How involved are you in your loved ones life? Dealing with a bipolar spouse with whom you have already built a life is a very different situation than dealing with a bipolar housemate. Evaluate both how much support is needed and how much you are realistically able to offer.

Minimal involvement might start with offering to get in touch with someone who is better able to help when things get bad. Increased levels of involvement could include helping the person spot when he is beginning to enter into a manic or depressed state, helping him remember to take his medication, or driving them to the doctor. If you have permission, you might even speak with his therapist yourself the outside perspective you can offer can be invaluable for a treatment provider to more fully understand whats going on.

Re: How Do You Communicate With Someone Who Is Bipolar

by Crawling» Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:00 pm

by Dark Passion Play» Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:09 pm

dp33 wrote:Do they appreciate you still being friends or do they prefer that you leave them and never bother them again?

dp33 wrote:I’m assuming that when they are acting normal you could give them your opinion on some bad decisions they have made?

hope7951 wrote:Lots od people give smypathy and go along with delusions. This makes both people feel good, but does nothing to help with the problem.

Crawling wrote:The same is true for your friend, you need to remember you cant save her.

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Is Addiction Common With Bipolar Patients

It’s not universal, but it absolutely is common. Bipolar patients go into battle with their own minds. The only thing that stops this is medication, which is effective but almost always has some kind of bad side effect – for example, with lithium, a very common drug used to combat mania, there is a risk of kidney failure. So with all of this in mind, it’s not hard to see why some patients get so frustrated on medication that they decide they’d rather deal with the episodes and turn to alcohol, MDMA, weed, meth, etc. to self medicate. If you know someone who’s doing this, be extremely careful and think about whether you really want to invest your emotional stability in them. Alcohol interferes with a lot of bipolar meds, and drugs such as crystal meth easily trigger mania. At the first sign of trouble, call 911.

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