Do you have some questions about health, treatment, care, therapy, or how to support people dealing with mental illnesses? It is always best to read and understand these mental illnesses to know how you can manage and handle situations, especially if you are dating someone with a mental condition. These changes make it very hard for someone to go through their daily tasks and regular activities. More often than not, it also affects their dating life. Here are some of the most common questions someone has about this mental illness: What is bipolar illness? Also called manic-depressive depression, it is a mental health condition that results in erratic and intense mood changes in an individual’s energy, focus, activity levels, and moods.
There are three forms of this mental illness, including bipolar disorder, which entail obvious alterations in activity levels, energy, and intense mood. These mood shifts may range from very high, overexcited, or elated (manic) to miserable, hopeless, or very down (depressive). Manic episodes that are less extreme are called hypomania. If you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, it is extremely important to understand the disorder’s different forms and how it can affect the mental health of people with bipolar.
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- Bipolar 1 is described as a manic episode lasting for no less than 7 days, almost daily, and for most of the day. The manic symptoms are so intense that the individual requires instant medical attention. Typically, episodes of depression happen too, which usually persist for up to two weeks. Depressive episodes coupled with mixed symptoms like depression and mania at the same time can also possibly occur. Having more than three episodes of depression or mania within a year is referred to as rapid cycling.
- Bipolar II is a collection of episodes of hypomania and depression. The hypomanic episodes are not as severe as the bipolar I manic episodes.
- Cyclothymic bipolar disorder, also known as cyclothymia, is characterized by symptoms of recurring depression and hypomania that are less severe form or do not persist long enough to be considered a pure depressive or hypomanic episode.
Occasionally, a person dating someone with bipolar disorder or individuals supporting people with bipolar disorder may encounter symptoms that don’t fit into the three forms mentioned above. This situation can fall under the category of ‘other unspecified or specified bipolar or related illnesses,’ which may include experiences related to manic episodes.
Bipolar disorder, characterized by manic episodes and depressive lows, is generally diagnosed in the teen or late adolescent years or during early adulthood. Occasionally, someone’s bipolar symptoms may manifest during childhood. These symptoms may vary over time, but bipolar disorder typically necessitates long-term management. Dating someone with bipolar disorder can be a challenging but rewarding experience, as understanding and supporting them in their romantic relationship can make a significant difference. Following a doctor-recommended effective treatment plan may substantially help individuals deal with their illness and their corresponding symptoms, enhancing their quality of life.
Mood swings or altered mood states related to bipolar disorder, can lead to severe behavioral changes. Are you dating someone with bipolar disorder? You should know that during manic-depressive episodes, someone with bipolar disorder can possess a strange amount of energy and might not be able to sleep. When having depressive attacks, someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder can seem exhausted and quite down. They may want to stay indoors and do nothing else.
These major swings in mood could make socializing, communicating, dating and maintaining relationships difficult. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be dealt with with medication and therapy, but they could most probably take a toll on family, friends, and other relationships, specifically romantic ones.
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might already be aware of your bipolar diagnosis’ effect on your dating life and romantic relationships. You may feel anxious about starting a new one and looking for the appropriate time to inform your partner or your special someone that you have a mental health condition.
These situations can be easily understood, but it is vital to remember that it is possible to create a healthy intimate new relationship. For the best opportunity of success in achieving a healthy relationship, you have to be able to communicate freely and follow an efficient treatment plan.
Children And Teens
Teenagers and children could have specific major manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes, although the form or structure is different from that of the adults. Additionally, moods can quickly change during their episodes. Some kids might even experience periods without any mood alterations in between episodes.
The most remarkable manifestations of the disease in teenagers and children are extreme mood alterations that are entirely different from their typical mood shifts.
When Should One See A Doctor?
Even with the presence of mood alterations, those with bipolar disorder frequently do not perceive just how much their emotional dysfunction places their lives in disarray, including the lives of their family and other loved ones. Because of this emotional rollercoaster, they refuse to get the treatment that they need.
If you are someone with bipolar disorder, you may feel euphoric and may experience times when you are productive on your own, but these feelings are often followed by a crash of risky behaviors and negative emotions that may subsequently cause you to feel burnt out or depressed – and possibly go into a legal, relationship, or financial trouble.
If you are currently experiencing mania or depression, do visit a physician or reach out to a mental health provider. Your illness, sadly, will not disappear by itself. Getting the appropriate treatment from your primary physician or mental health provider can tremendously help in managing your symptoms and getting them under control.
What To Do
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- Learn more about your lifelong condition. This is the initial step that you must do when you start a relationship with someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Read more about it to have a clearer understanding of what your partner is going through – and what you’re about to deal with as well.
- Be patient. It can be infuriating if your partner’s mood swings prevent you from having nice and happy dating plans. When times are troubled, breathe deeply and keep in mind that it is the illness – not your loved one – that’s causing your sadness. Spend some alone time if you need to, away from your loved one.
- Ask your partner about their experiences. If you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, it would be beneficial for both of you if you ask them how they behave during their mood swings and what they do to deal with these swings. It is also important to ask them what you could do, if there is any, to help them when these episodes happen.
- Support their care. Your loved one’s best chance for dealing with his illness depends on whether or not they focus and practice self-care and follow their treatment plan appropriately. You can show them your support and encouragement by helping them continue the treatments that the doctor recommended.
- Aim for open communication. You and your partner must communicate openly with each other. Express your feelings towards the situation, and encourage them to express how they feel as well. Always remember not to blame them for their illness.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about depression and bipolar disorder, among others.
What Does It Mean To Be High Functioning?
Being high functioning implies that a person is disabled and has a chronic illness or a mental health problem. They function physically or mentally at a higher level than others with the same illness; for example, a 9-year-old boy with autism or a high-functioning alcoholic.
What Is The Most Reliable Symptom Of Depression?
Indications of clinical depression include hopelessness, tearfulness, irritability, angry outbursts, lack of pleasure or interest in previously loved activities, and feelings of sadness.
What Are The 4 Major Causes Of Depression?
Experts agree that depression does not originate from merely having too little or too many brain chemicals. Instead, it arises from many potential causes, including genetic predisposition, medications, incorrect mood regulation by the nervous system, existing medical conditions, and stressful life situations.
What Does A High Functioning Bipolar Look Like?
If you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, you must be wondering what ‘High-functioning,’ means to someone with this disorder. When talking about bipolar disorder, it does not refer to the level of the disorder itself, but instead, the individual’s capacity to manage it. This means that the individual may have acute symptoms but can mask them and perform their daily tasks.
Can You Hide Having This Mental Illness?
Can a person have a masked or hidden bipolar disorder without other people knowing? The unexpected fact is that occasionally, individuals with the disorder can do a great job in concealing or minimizing specific symptoms of their illness. So even if you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, you may not see the symptoms outright.
Dating Someone With Bipolar Disorder Can Be Challenging. But How Does A Person With Bipolar Disorder Think?
In the manic stage of bipolar disorder, it is typical to have increased energy, euphoria, and creativity. If you are experiencing bouts of mania, you may be deprived of sleep, talk for a mile per minute, or become hyperactive. You may also be feeling like you are invincible, intended to be great, or that you are all-powerful.
Does Having This Mental Disorder Mean You Are Crazy?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by severe mood alterations from high to low and high. The highs are moments of mania, while the lows are moments of depression. The mood alterations even get mixed up, so you may feel depressed and excited at the same. Bipolar disorder is actually not a rare condition, but it does not mean that someone with the disorder is crazy or insane.
Does A Person Know That They Have Mental Illness?
No, not all who suffer from bipolar disorder know that they have it. There are many reasons why a person with the condition may not be aware of it – why they might not admit having it despite the fact that they do.
What Is A Bipolar Rage?
Bipolar rage or anger is extreme, explosive, erratic, and impulsive. A person experiencing bipolar rage may be asked a basic question, and they respond with illogical anger and/or agitation. They lash out for no valid reason at their support group or people who care for them.
What Should You Not Say To A Person That Is Diagnosed W/ This Mental Illness?
Here are some phrases that you must not say to someone who has bipolar disorder:
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- “Really? But you’re too smart to suffer from bipolar disorder!”
- “Why do you sound so down today?”
- “But I thought you were regularly taking medications for that?”
- “Will you please stop acting crazy?”
- “You’ve become so lazy, and you do not have a life anymore.”
- “We both know he is bipolar, right?”
What Is A Psychotic Break?
Usually, a psychotic break signifies the emergence of psychotic symptoms for someone or the abrupt onset of psychotic indications after a stage of remission. Indications may include visual and auditory hallucinations, delusional views and ideas, and paranoia.
What Does Burnout Feel Like?
Individuals who suffer from burnout naturally feel burnt out, defenseless, and empty. As their performance deteriorates, fear of failure and emotional fatigue further increase. Those affected by it feel totally overwhelmed and engulfed in a gamut of expectations from others. They are unable to meet their own expectations of themselves as well.
Can A Person Who Has This Mental Illness Still Fall In Love?
When someone is bipolar, their romantic relationships are affected as well. People who suffer from it experience extremely low and high moods. They experience depressive and manic episodes. But with the appropriate treatment plan, a lot of these individuals can maintain healthy romantic relationships.
Following the steps mentioned above can definitely benefit your relationships. However, if you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, it may often still cause some strains in the relationship despite both of you trying your best to keep it working. Don’t worry – this is not uncommon at all. Remember that whether or not you have bipolar disorder or are dating someone diagnosed with the illness, it is possible to start and keep a healthy and rewarding relationship. The keys to success? Open communication is first on the list, then ensuring that the individual with bipolar disorder keeps track and follows their treatment plan, and finally gets appropriate support when necessary.
What Is It Like Loving A Person Who Has This Mental Disorder?
Do People Who Have This Mental Illness Last In Relationships?
Can A Person Who Has This Mental Illness Be Faithful?
Is It Worth To Date A Person Who Has The Condition?
Why Is Going Out With A Person Who Has the Condition So Hard?