Partners built relationships on hardships. They are strong because of their consistency and outstanding communication. You should understand, especially if your partner has a behavioral health problem (such as bipolar disorder). To make things work out between the two of you, you’ll need to be especially loving and communicate frequently. 

According to studies, patients with this disorder of either gender are less likely to be married (30.3 percent of males and 30.8 percent of females are unmarried). 

If you have bipolar disorder, you’re probably already aware of the harmful effects it can have on a budding romance. You could be worried about establishing a new relationship. It’s also vital to figure out when the right time is to notify your partner you have bipolar disorder.

What Exactly Is Bipolar Disorder?

“When under the strain of bipolar’s the strongest symptoms, we certainly can make selfish decisions, but that doesn’t make us selfish people. In fact, because we have struggled and known such depths of darkness, our compassion runs deeper.”

Lyss Trayers

• Bipolar disorder is an extreme mood disorder, where there are huge fluctuations in mood, energy levels, and concentration.
• Like the episodes, a person experienced in this condition includes a mixture of mania, hypomania, and depression, this disorder frequently bounces back and forth between mania and depression.
• Because of its mood portrayal, it’s also known as manic depression by psychiatrists. Although the actual causation of bipolar disorder is unknown, we all know that mental illnesses run in families.
• Bipolar disorder is divided into two types: bipolar disorder I and bipolar disorder II, both of which we will cover.

What is Depression?

A continuous sense of sadness, isolation, tiredness, a loss of interest in daily activities, a sense of hopelessness, and, in severe cases, self-harm characterizes depression. 

Because depression is a hidden illness, most people cannot detect it and seek treatment promptly, which can exacerbate the problem.

What is Mania and Hypomania? 

“Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it, an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide”

Kay Redfield Jamison, An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

• Mania and hypomania are indeed severe moods and behavioral disorders, but one is wilder than the other. Mania can last for a week or more, whereas hypomania can last only three to four days.
• An intense phase of elevated mood, high energy levels, and excessive euphoria, in which the individual believes he is on top of the world, characterizes mania. Hypomania has a representation that is like mania but with a lower intensity.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are two primary types of bipolar disorder, bipolar 1 and bipolar disorder 2.

Bipolar 1, like mania, primarily exhibits elevated mood representations and intense behavioral outbursts. The following are signs that appear only in this type:

• Excessive hallucination (visual and auditory)
• Extreme impulsive behavioral episodes and circumstances
• Hospitalization in case things got out of control

Bipolar disorder II is less severe than the first, yet it is fatal. It is a term that describes how hypomania is portrayed. The following are signs that appear only in this type:

• Speak slowly and quickly
• High energy levels
• Lack of sleep

The crucial thing to remember, the partner passionately craves sex with no regard for the consequences. 

Challenges in Bipolar Disorder Treatment

• The management of manic disorder is fraught with difficulties. A combination of drugs and psychotherapy may be used to treat bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder frequently stop taking their medication because they want to stay energized and miss their “high” selves.
• If your partner has this mental illness, value his or her self-assurance, commitment to continuing therapy, and communication with their psychiatrist.
• For bipolar disorder I treatment, lithium is a mood stabilizer that can be used alone or with other drugs to treat bipolar illness. If your partner has bipolar disorder II and behaves differently or does not respond to meds, encourage them to see a psychiatrist regularly.

Challenges Being In Relationship With Bipolar Disorder

When dealing with someone who has a bipolar mood disorder, though, things become even more complicated. When dealing with someone who has bipolar disorder, though, things become even more problematic. 

Difficult To Maintain Intimacy

• Because experts link the bipolar disorder to mania and hypomania, your partner’s sexual attraction to you may grow. 
• Your partner may become more assertive, have extramarital affairs, and engage in unsafe intercourse. 
• In bipolar disorder, binge-watching pornography, masturbating and having more sex than usual become the norm.
• If your spouse is experiencing acute melancholy or despair, they will limit sexual contact to that level, as it may feel like refusal.
• If your lover wants more sex now and then, you must communicate to maintain your health. There’s a good likelihood that bipolar disorder treatments would reduce sex opportunities, which could lead to frustration between couples. 

Work-Life Imbalance

• Your partner may become agitated if they have significant mood swings, despair, low energy, or negativity in the workplace. Perhaps your partner finding it hard to keep a job and wish to leave shortly. 
• Understand your partner’s mental turbulence without losing patience as a companion. Give your best and support your partner until they achieve mental stability. But don’t forget to look after your own physical and emotional needs.

Manage Your Relationship With Bipolar Disorder

It’s crucial to remember that bipolar disorder doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy love relationship. Build trust and stick to your treatment regimen for the highest chance of success in a new relationship. There are a few things do you can do to maintain your relationship efficiently.

Discuss your disorder with your partner and explain why you have such drastic mood swings. You should do this before entering into a long-term relationship.

Try to educate yourself. Read about the condition carefully so that you know what is going on with your partner and what you will go through.

If you’re having a significant episode and are having trouble dealing with your symptoms, don’t be afraid to tell your partner and seek support when you need it.

If your partner’s mood swings conflict with your dating plans, it might be aggravating. Breathe deeply and remind yourself that it’s the situation, not your partner, that’s creating your frustration.

Following your treatment plan is the best method to lessen relationship tension. This can help to ease your symptoms and reduce the intensity of your mood fluctuations. Talk to your partner about your treatment plan so that they can assist you in staying on track.

Treatment For Bipolar Disorder

There are a variety of therapy methods available. It takes work to build a strong relationship, especially if your partner has bipolar disorder. We’ve compiled a list of strategies to help you keep your relationship strong in the face of adversity.

Couple Counselling

Couple counseling is a great way to deal with manic disorder and figure out your relationship. It can help you in maintaining a healthy relationship in a variety of ways, including:

• Acknowledge your mental health disorder and talk to your partner about the adverse repercussions.
• Set limits and pardon yourself for your troublesome mood swings. 

Impact Of Self-Care

When you’re coping with a significant mental condition, it’s critical to take some time for yourself. To refresh your mind, take part in therapy, speak with your therapist, and practice meditation.

Being in a relationship with someone who suffers from this behavioral disorder causes constant attention and care for your partner. Don’t neglect yourself; you need to look after your health as well.

Having an effective way of communicating, ensuring that the person with bipolar disorder adheres to their treatment plan, and receiving behavioral health help when needed are all important aspects of recovery.