They might be worried about hurting your feelings. Extreme mood fluctuations could make them feel distrustful of others. It's hard for people with bipolar to trust that they're fully supported.
Patients with rapid changes between the two states are known to have manic depressive states or episodes. Without the appropriate treatment, bipolar behavior can destroy relationships, deteriorate the individual's health, and/or endanger their job.
The known maladaptive types of coping mechanisms, or negative coping skills, evident in BD patients are “… rumination, catastrophism, self-blame, substance use, risk-taking, behavioral disengagement, problem-direct coping, venting of emotions, or mental disengagement” (Apaydin & Atagun, 2018).
On the other hand, emotional intimacy can be challenging while dating someone with bipolar disorder, because their subjective experience of the relationship and the world around them can often shift without treatment. This can be surprising because you may not be able to follow the shift in their emotional states.
Unpredictable or intense mood changes define the heart of bipolar disorder. It can cause you to unwittingly withdraw from the people you love, or overly engage them.
Breakups can be brutal—and can easily trigger bipolar symptoms. The end of a relationship often ushers in dark feelings like abandonment, guilt, and rejection.
As with many emotions, however, people with bipolar disorder appear to be more vulnerable to extreme reactions. “Everyone can become frustrated or angry, but loss of control can be part and parcel of bipolar disorder rage,” says Jeffrey Borenstein, MD, president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
Never engage in dialogue with the other person's amygdala
Our clear messages get lost and we become irrational and unreasonable. For persons living with bipolar, the amygdala may be overactivated or very easily triggered. Don't engage in an argument or debate with your bipolar partner when he or she is in a fear state.
Gambling and hypersexuality are some of the risky behaviors linked to manic episodes. Impulsivity is the root behind many of these reckless actions. Spending money without even thinking is another problem when it comes to manic episodes.
Manic episodes present their challenges as well. Individuals may have lower inhibitions and seek out unsafe behaviors that put themselves and others in danger, creating more interpersonal conflict. Divorce and separation are 2-3 times more likely among bipolar individuals.
Bad Breakups or Marriage Breakdowns
A number of people with bipolar disorder — especially those with a history of severe manic episodes — experience a breakdown in their marriages. If you're going through a divorce, working with your therapist through what is often a drawn-out and extremely stressful process can help.
One of the worst side effects of bipolar disorder is the repetitive cycle of self-sabotage. But you can manage this symptom by mapping out your goals.
It is very important to understand that when a person is hypo-manic/manic there is not always a clearunderstanding of their actions. After the fact, however, the depression combined with the guilt can emotionally cripple the cheater which generally leads to a confession.
Looking back at what happened during a mood episode can stir powerful emotions. It's common to feel embarrassed, humiliated, ashamed, even worthless. There's often regret, sharpened by fear that you've alienated people in your life.
Bipolar and Infidelity: What's the Truth? Here's the truth about bipolar and infidelity: being bipolar doesn't mean you will be unfaithful to your partner, but it does make infidelity more likely, according to statistics.
Experts are careful to distinguish between the odd angry outburst and the long-simmering anger and rage of bipolar anger, sometimes lasting over several days during both manic episodes and irritated states of depression.
Anger is not a symptom that everyone with bipolar experiences, but it is not uncommon either. Mania in particular tends to trigger aggressive emotions and anger. The racing thoughts and high energy levels you experience can leave you feeling angry, irritable, and frustrated.
To Satisfy Needs for Attention. The person with bipolar might be using emotional manipulation to get attention from those who are close to them. It is not uncommon for a person with bipolar to lash out at the person who provides the most care or practical support.
It's common for someone with bipolar disorder to hurt and offend their partner. When someone is first diagnosed, there are often relationship issues that need to be addressed. Couples counseling can help you: Understand that there's an illness involved in the hurtful behavior.
No matter how solid our confidence, if we're partnered with a person who acts inappropriately with others, then our natural reaction is to feel devalued, angry and upset,” she said. When bipolars become jealous, jealousy becomes magnified by the symptoms of our illnesses.
“When you're in a hypomanic or manic state, you're also more likely to feel you're in love,” says Haase. “You may then act on that feeling when making major long-term life decisions, not understanding your state had something to do with what you were feeling.”
If you have bipolar and wish to repair relationships damaged by your behavior (whether while symptomatic or not), it is vital to first recognize the other person's feelings and pain. Admitting to your actions and acknowledging the harm they caused your loved one is a good first step in the process of making amends.