How does a bipolar person act in love?

People with bipolar disorder can lead a normal life as a couple, although as in other disorders, it is necessary that they comply with the stipulated treatment, trying to achieve an internal emotional stability that will allow them to achieve external stability in the relations.

In this sense, to achieve stable love relationships, it is important that both members do their part.

In this article We will talk about people with bipolar disorder and how they live romantic relationships, and how to act as a couple to maintain a stable relationship.

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What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that is classified within mood disorders. As its name indicates, in this psychopathology there are two poles, a sad or apathetic mood and a euphoric mood. That is, criteria will be met for a depressive episode and for a manic or hypomanic episode.

The symptoms are typical of each episode. In the depressive can present:

depressed mood, loss of interest or ability to feel pleasure, loss or increase in appetite or weight, insomnia or hypersomnia, motor agitation or slowness, fatigue, guilt, difficulty concentrating, or repetitive thoughts of death. To make the diagnosis, at least 5 symptoms must be met for 2 weeks.

On the other hand, in manic or hypomanic episodes we can observe: increased activity or energy, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, verbiage, flight of ideas, distractibility, increased activity or agitation, involvement in pleasurable activities. In both episodes the symptoms are the same and there must be at least 3, but in the case of mania the duration of the episode must be at least 5 days; in contrast, in hypomania only 4 days are required. In addition, in mania we can observe psychotic symptoms or the need for hospitalization.

We could diagnose two types of bipolar disorder, bipolar I, where a manic episode will be shown, in this case it is not necessary wait for the presence of a depressive episode to make the diagnosis or bipolar II, where it is required to show a hypomanic episode and a depressant.

Course tends to be chronic, presenting a high rate of recurrence. It usually begins at 20 years of age and there is no difference between the sexes, neither in prevalence nor in the age of onset.

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How are people with bipolar disorder in relationships?

Now that we know better what the symptoms of bipolar disorder are, characterized by the ups and downs in state of mind it will be easier to understand how their behavior can be as a couple or how they live relationships loving. Like any other disorder, one of the necessary criteria that must be met is the impact on the functionality of the subject who suffers it, affecting different areas of their lives.

The possibility of leading a more or less normalized life will depend on compliance with the treatment, both pharmacological and psychological. If the subject is stable, it is more likely that her performance in the field of love will develop no problem, we will see how their behavior can be very similar to that of individuals without this pathology.

Even so, despite the normalcy achieved with the intervention, we can observe changes in the activation state. That is to say, there will be days with greater activation where the subject will want to do things and interact and others where he will show himself without energy and will not want to leave the house. This is the variable behavior that bipolars tend to present more and not so much a change of opinion or preferences. Likewise, we can also observe relative difficulties in communicating and relating, due to changes in mood and energy.

Thus, people with bipolar disorder they can have a stable partner, as long as they follow the indicated treatment. If they remain stable internally it is easier for them to be stable externally, otherwise it will be very difficult for them to maintain continuity.

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How to behave in love if you have bipolar disorder?

Apart from the impairment of functionality, it is also very common to observe discomfort in subjects with this psychopathology, adding to the stigma that society grants to people with disorder mental. For this reason, despite the fact that we have seen that subjects with bipolar pathology can maintain a love relationship, it is normal that Fear arises in them and it is difficult for them to decide to be with someone or they have doubts about whether they will be able to carry the relationship with normal.

If you want to start a relationship, there are some tips that can help you.

1. Comply with treatment

As we have already seen, one of the key points to remain stable and make it easier to have a partner is to follow the treatment, both taking the necessary psychotropic medication (the medication is a continuous treatment for bipolar patients) and follow, continue indications of psychological therapy, which, apart from benefiting us in reducing the symptoms of the pathology, can also help us to show adequate behavior in the couple's relationship.

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2. Involve your partner in your pathology

There is a lot of misinformation about mental health problems, so it is very likely that your partner does not really know what bipolar disorder means. Thus, talk to your partner and explain the changes you may experience, what behavior you may observe, will help you understand yourself better and deal with many of the situations that may arise.

In the same way, it can also be good to share the techniques you use to regulate your mood or how you act when symptoms appear. Making him aware of your condition and treatment will unite you more, finding in him/her a support.

3. don't hide anything from him

This advice is suitable for all types of couples. It is important that when you notice a change in your state, when you see that things are not going well, share this feeling with your partner. Since, as much as we want to hide it so as not to worry the other person, surely sooner or later they will notice our change in behavior. So don't wait for the situation to get worse and harder to act.

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4. Maintain good communication

Another tip that works for all couples is to communicate. Sometimes we try to deduce what happens to our partner, why he acts that way, we waste time making assumptions and we can even get angry without really knowing the reason for their behavior. Maintaining good communication is one of the fundamental factors to achieve a good relationship.

Explain to him how you feel and allow your partner to do the same, so that he can communicate the changes he observes in you, since these are also signs that can help us act preventively and avoid an episode of greater gravity.

How to help your partner with bipolar disorder

In the same way that it is important to work and involve the bipolar patient so that the relationship work, it is also essential that the other member collaborate and help for the purpose of a good relationship. Here are some tips that may be useful to you.

1. Collaborate with the healthcare professional

Following the treatment is not always easy and it may sometimes be difficult for the patient to comply with it. It is crucial that we collaborate with the mental health professional to try to ensure that our partner follows the treatment as it should and has been prescribed. It is good that we participate and communicate with the professional, since we are the person who spends the most time with the patient and who will be able to detect possible changes in their behavior beforehand.

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2. Treat your partner normally

As we have already seen, if the subject receives treatment, the affectation caused by the disorder is controllable, being greatly reduced. For this reason we should not treat our partner in a very different way than we would with another person; we should not overprotect herWe must treat them as equals. This does not mean that, in situations where your condition is destabilized, we are by your side and help you in any way possible.

3. be understanding

Despite being able to have a normal relationship, we must be aware that psychopathology is chronic and that, therefore, There may be behaviors or symptoms that our partner cannot control and performs without the intention of bothering us or hurt us. In this point communication will be essential; Express how you feel, without attacking him, so you can talk about the situation.