What To Do If Your Partner Suffers From Bipolar Disorder
If your partner suffers from bipolar disorder, this disease can become an obstacle in an interpersonal relationship, especially one of a romantic nature.
In a couple’s relationship, the partner suffering from bipolar disorder can be affected both negatively and positively. If you are together with a partner affected by this disease, you must have a clear idea of the role you must play in your partner ‘s life , so as to give him the support he needs.
The most important thing is to be patient and bring a dose of emotional balance in your relationship. People with bipolar disorder have certain behavioral patterns that they cannot control.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a common mental illness that causes episodes of depression that alternate with episodes of euphoria. In many cases, these episodes become chronic, and those affected must undergo medication for the rest of their lives.
The bipolar disorder may have a hereditary cause, but the gene that could cause it has not yet been discovered. The exact causes of emotional disorders are still unknown. However, researchers believe that they could be based on various neurobiological and psychosocial factors.
What can you do if your partner suffers from bipolar disorder?
Being with your partner who suffers from bipolar disorder does not mean that you have to become their caregiver or that you have to give up your own life for it. But you can help him without neglecting yourself.
Help your partner recognize his symptoms
You are always with him or her. What other person can give your partner a helping hand to make them aware of what is happening to them? Little by little, you will gain enough experience to know when you are on the verge of a crisis. This way, you can take the necessary steps to avoid relapses.
Work with a doctor
You are the best source of information for the doctor who cares for your partner about his progress. If you manage to communicate properly, medical consultations will not be superfluous. Try not to hide any details and, if necessary, write down the things you consider important.
Don’t overprotect your partner
Overprotection will not do your partner any good either. A person suffering from bipolar disorder spends most of his time like a healthy person. In other words, she has a normal life.
When your partner goes through a period of instability, it does not reduce your autonomy and responsibility. If he or she experiences an episode of mania or depression, try to be with him or her for as long as possible. This will help him avoid self – destructive behaviors .
Don’t criticize him
You may criticize your partner without realizing it. Never forget that you are one of the people he trusts the most. Also, your partner’s symptoms are not false. He or she does not want to suffer from bipolar disorder and probably does everything in their power to feel good.
Make sure he takes his medication
Make sure your partner is taking your doctor’s medication. In some cases, patients give up medication as soon as they begin to feel well. Partial or total discontinuation of drug treatment without a doctor’s advice can cause recurrences or even more serious problems.
How can you take care of yourself when your partner suffers from bipolar disorder?
When we care for a loved one, we often forget to give ourselves enough time to regain our strength.
It is essential to reserve time and space for yourself. A psychologist could help you. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, so you will have to accept that you and your partner will have to deal with this problem permanently.
At certain times you will need to be strong enough to take care of both your partner and yourself. For this reason, you need the support of your family and friends in order to meet the challenges. If you feel that your partner’s problems are overwhelming you, do not hesitate to consult a psychologist.
You don’t have to feel guilty. On the contrary, it is very difficult to live with someone who suffers from bipolar disorder. It is natural to need a helping hand to be able to move on.
What can you do when your partner is going through a crisis?
The most important step is to make sure that your partner does not want to and is not able to hurt or hurt those around him. If you feel that you cannot keep the situation under control, ask for help immediately. Under no circumstances leave your partner alone during a crisis and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
When you are able to talk to a specialist, ask them to give you a phone number to contact when you need support to overcome a crisis.
If you notice that your partner has one or more of the symptoms presented in this article, encourage him to make an appointment with your doctor and start treatment. This way, you will be able to have a happy life together.
