Mental illness can be challenging not only for the person experiencing it but also for the people in their lives. Family members, friends and even romantic partners can all be affected by a person’s struggles with their mental health. Bipolar disorder is one of the most complex and difficult illnesses for people to understand and live with.
If you are romantically involved with someone who has bipolar disorder you may not know how to navigate the situation. It can be hard to support someone with a complicated problem if you are not well-informed about the illness and or the best ways to handle it. Dating someone with bipolar disorder means two things:
- Educating yourself about how you can be there for them
- Providing the care that can help them remain stable
Any time you are in a relationship with someone you need to work toward finding the balance to keep both individuals healthy and happy. This may be especially challenging when one partner has a mental illness like bipolar disorder but it does not mean you can’t have a normal and fulfilling relationship. Find ways to support them and get help for yourself so that you can enjoy a healthy and meaningful connection. For more about bipolar disorder treatment, call us today at 424.235.2009.
Learning About and Discussing the Illness
An important part of dating someone with bipolar disorder is gaining as much knowledge as possible about the illness. This is so you aren’t confused or hurt by their behavior. If you don’t know much about bipolar disorder then you may find yourself overwhelmed by your partner’s actions that you don’t understand. Learning to recognize their symptoms and how they affect them can help you gain more insight into how they live with the illness.
Educating yourself about bipolar disorder can mean reading books, articles or even talking to a therapist about the relationship. However, some of the best knowledge can come directly from your partner in finding out about how their illness affects them. It can be helpful for the relationship to discuss their past experiences with bipolar disorder. This includes knowing when they were diagnosed and how they are managing it through treatment or therapy.
Talking about the illness can make it easier for both partners to feel comfortable with the situation. Avoiding the subject will only cause more problems even if you feel that it’s taboo or too sensitive to discuss. Being open about discussing major issues can help you understand them better and help keep free up communication so they don’t feel they have to hide their problems.
Providing Support and Care while Dating Someone with Bipolar Disorder
A key thing to remember when dating someone with bipolar disorder is that they need your support. Even though it can be stressful at times to have to witness and become involved in a person’s more difficult symptoms, you need to be able to provide help. Without your support and love, the person’s illness can hinder the relationship and they may experience more episodes.
In order to provide support and love to someone it can be helpful to try to think of the person you are dating as separate from their illness. Yes, they have a serious disorder. However, it’s only one aspect of their life. It certainly doesn’t represent them as a whole. That being said, it’s important to accept the illness as part of the package of dating this person since it is something that they may never be fully cured of.
Support Is Often About the Simple Things
Providing help for this person can mean making sure that they are receiving the treatment they need and are actively taking care of themselves. Are they seeing a regular therapist or attending support group meetings? Are they taking their medication on a daily basis and following doctor recommendations?
Making sure that your partner is taking all the necessary steps for their health can be a useful way to support them. You will eventually learn to recognize their symptoms, triggers or anticipate an oncoming episode. You can also learn what actions to take when an episode occurs and what to do to help minimize the damage.
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder means doing all you can to advocate for their health and well-being. However, it is important to also take care of yourself. Also, you need to make sure that you’re handling the situation and the stress the best that you can. Seeing a therapist for yourself or going to support group meetings can help you manage the emotional struggles that you experience as a result of this person’s illness.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Seasons in Malibu
During treatment at Seasons in Malibu, our team of dedicated professionals will work with individuals to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets their individual needs. Our comprehensive approach to treating bipolar disorder includes:
- Evidence-based therapies
- Holistic treatments
- Luxurious amenities
At Seasons in Malibu, we understand that each individual’s experience with bipolar disorder is unique. That’s why we take a personalized approach to treatment, tailoring our programs to fit the specific needs and goals of each client. This individualized approach allows us to address underlying issues and develop coping strategies that are most effective for each person.
Get the Help Your Significant Other Needs Today
If someone you’re dating is struggling with bipolar disorder, know that help is available. Contact us today at 424.235.2009 to learn more about our treatment programs and how we can support individuals on their journey toward recovery. We are here to guide, support, and empower our clients every step of the way.