What to Know About Dating Someone With Bipolar Disorder
You’re interested in them, and they feel the same way—but they have bipolar disorder, and you’re unsure how to proceed. Dating someone with bipolar comes with unique challenges, but with understanding, communication, and proper support, a healthy relationship is possible. Educate yourself about bipolar disorder, set realistic expectations, and prioritize open dialogue. Ask yourself: Are you prepared for mood swings? Can you offer patience and stability? By assessing your emotional readiness and learning about their needs, you can determine if dating someone with bipolar is the right choice for you.
To learn more about bipolar disorder treatment options at New Mind Wellness, call us today or verify your insurance online. We’re excited to help you start your personal recovery journey.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental illness that is characterized by dramatic swings in mood, mindset, and energy.
People with this condition may experience one or more of the following types of symptoms:
- Mania and hypomania, which can include elevated mood and motivation, increased confidence and self-esteem, greater energy, and impulsivity.
- Depression, which may involve deep sadness, low energy and motivation, difficulty focusing and concentrating, poor self-esteem, and recurrent thoughts of death.
Untreated bipolar disorder can have a disruptive effect on virtually every part of a person’s life, including their physical health, financial well-being, academic progress, career progression, and relationships. Learn more about how a person with bipolar thinks here.
Thankfully, bipolar disorder is a treatable condition. When a person gets the right type of care, they can learn to manage their symptoms and live a much healthier and more satisfying life. Understanding the differences between mood disorders and personality disorders is also important when considering treatment options.
Is It Safe to Date Someone With Bipolar Disorder?
Society has come a long way in our efforts to eradicate stigma about mental illnesses, but certain myths and misconceptions are unfortunately persistent. One of the more problematic misunderstandings about people with bipolar disorder and other complex mental illnesses is that their disorders make them inherently dangerous to other people.
In reality, the opposite is true. Researchers have found that people with mental illnesses are much more likely to become victims of violence than are members of the general public.
In other words, having bipolar disorder doesn’t automatically mean that a person will pose a threat to your safety or well-being. If you are thinking about dating someone with bipolar disorder, you should base your decision on their words and actions, not their condition or symptoms.
How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Date Someone With Bipolar Disorder?
Deciding to date someone with bipolar disorder is the same as choosing to enter a relationship with someone who doesn’t have a mental illness. For example, here are a few questions to consider:
- Do you enjoy being with them?
- Do you have common interests and complementary personalities?
- Do you communicate well with each other?
- Do you have similar expectations for your relationship?
- Do they make you feel safe, happy, and supported?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, it sounds like you and your potential partner may be a good fit for each other.
However, it’s also important to take an honest look at potential drawbacks. For example:
- Have they exhibited any concerning behaviors or other red flags?
- Are you afraid to talk to them about their mental health symptoms?
- Do you think that having a mental illness is a character flaw or something to be ashamed of?
Answering “yes” to any of these three questions could be a sign that this isn’t the right relationship for you. It’s important to feel safe with – and proud of – the person you are dating. It’s also vital to be able to speak openly and honestly with them.
If you have any concerns in these areas, you may want to think twice about moving forward with your relationship.
Relationship Tips When Dating Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Here are three suggestions for building and maintaining a healthy relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder:
Talk to Them
As alluded to in the previous section, honest communication is one of the hallmarks of a healthy relationship. If you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, this commitment to openness and honesty should extend to discussions of their mental health.
Topics that you may want to discuss with your partner include:
- What type or types of symptoms do they usually experience?
- What skills or strategies do they use to manage their symptoms?
- How can you best support them when they are in the midst of a manic, hypomanic, or depressive episode?
- What is their treatment history? Are they currently seeing a therapist or counselor?
- Do they take medication to help manage their symptoms? How do these meds make them feel?
Learning about mental health and lifestyle factors that support well-being can also be beneficial. For example, research suggests that certain foods can positively impact mental health, which may be useful for both you and your partner.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Boundaries help you build a foundation for a safe and trusting relationship. Addressing your expectations and preferences ahead of time can help you avoid conflicts later on. Examples of what to consider when setting boundaries include:
- Take time to consider exactly what you want and need from this relationship.
- Be clear with your partner about what you expect from them and which types of behaviors are unacceptable to you.
- If there are aspects of your life or your past that you don’t feel comfortable talking about yet, make sure your partner knows this.
- Be willing to give each other space when either of you needs time to process, reflect, or simply have some alone time.
- Discuss ahead of time how you will respond if your partner violates any of your boundaries.
Don’t Ignore Your Own Needs
Setting boundaries is one way to ensure that your needs are being met, but it’s not the only step you can or should take. Others include:
- Don’t ignore your friends and family members. In the early days of a relationship, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and spend most of your time with your partner. Don’t let this initial rush cause you to sacrifice your other relationships.
- Practice self-care. Continue to engage in healthy activities that you enjoy, and don’t feel the need to include your partner in all of them. If your partner tries to curtail these activities or force you to include them, that is a sign that they don’t value your needs.
- Talk to a professional. Bipolar disorder doesn’t only affect the person who develops the condition. Friends, family members, and romantic partners are also likely to be impacted. Speaking with a therapist or counselor can help you process your experiences and maintain your own mental health. If you’re looking for flexible mental health care, you may want to explore outpatient treatment options.
Find Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Philadelphia
New Mind Wellness Center offers personalized outpatient programming for adults in the Philadelphia, PA, area who have been living with bipolar disorder and other complex mental health conditions.
Treatment options at our center include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program (OP). When you choose New Mind Wellness Center, our team of compassionate experts will work with you to determine which programs, therapies, and support services are best for you.
For insights into the state of mental health care in the area, you can explore mental health statistics in Philadelphia.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our admissions page or call us today.
Begin Healing at Our Mental Health Outpatient Treatment in Philadelphia
If you are ready to take the first step towards a healthier mind, contact us today. You will be connected with someone who can help guide you through our simple and straightforward admissions process. Learn more about our mental health programs in Philadelphia and begin your journey towards lasting wellness.
