Relationships and Bipolar

Exploring the intersection of bipolar disorder and nurturing supportive relationships.

August Meeting Summary: Relationships & Bipolar

Thank you to all who attended the August meeting and contributed to our group discussion on relationships and bipolar. Here are some notes from the discussion:

Challenges:

• Finding it difficult staying in touch with people when our mood is out of balance.

• Feeling guilt and shame about previous behaviour during an episode.

• Over-communicating when mood is elevated and worrying about what people think.

• People being judgmental and not understanding that I’m unwell.

• Causing trouble when mood is elevated and family reminding you what you did or said.

• Being too opinionated or behaving inappropriately during a manic episode.

• Falling out with family or friends due to their lack of understanding or sensitivity.

• Disclosing your diagnosis to colleagues, particularly if you are a manager.

• Feeling like you’ve let people down when you are depressed or tired.

• Worry about what colleagues would say when returning to work after an episode.

• Family are affected by our behaviour and it can take a long time to repair relationships.

• Can be difficult handling stigma and rejection.

• Difficult to trust mental health professionals if you don’t see the same person very often.

• Overspending when mood is elevated and retail therapy when mood is low.

• Putting yourself under pressure to meet up with others.

• Interpreting comments in a negative light due to lack of self-worth or paranoia.

• Withdrawing from social interaction or masking when mood is low.

Things that can help:

• Trust is key.

• Taking responsibility for managing your bipolar e.g. monitor your mood, healthy sleep pattern.

• Keep in touch with people you trust and be kind to others.

• Support from people in your corner who will contact you when you’re not feeling well.

• Open communication is vital.

• Being honest about your condition and how it affects you when you are unwell.

• Dealing with shame -  be honest with the person you hurt and apologise for your behaviour.

• Be mindful that there are two people in a relationship and it's not always your fault.

• ‘It’s OK not to be OK.”

• Colleagues you trust can help support you if you are open about your bipolar.

• Knowing your limits and learning to say no.

• Choosing not to do something or go somewhere if you’re at risk of relapse e.g. alcohol.

• Practicing self-preservation.

• Being open with friends and family about your boundaries.

• It’s good to talk - don’t let problems build up.

• Diffuse difficult situations by stepping back and counting to ten.

• People being honest with you when they think you are becoming unwell.

• Being economical with the truth..