Can You Have a Relationship with Someone Who Has a Bipolar Diagnosis

Can You Have A Relationship with Somone Who Has A Bipolor Diagnosis in Rochelle IL

Understanding your partner when they have received a bipolar diagnosis can be very challenging. There are probably times when you don’t know what to expect from day-to-day. You may see high times and really low times, all while wondering where you stand.

There are approximately 2.3 million Americans currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. If you’re dating someone with this diagnosis in Rochelle, you might be wondering if the relationship can last or what you can do to support your partner. Let’s go over it a little further.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition. This condition causes people to switch between hypomania or mania to depression. This means that your partner could have intense gleeful moods and then intense low moods.

Bipolar disorder is categorized as either Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is a more severe form of the condition which could see your partner having hallucinations or paranoia, impulsive behaviors like gambling or drug use, and hospitalization.

Bipolar 2 is a less severe form. Your partner may experience bouts of increased energy and creativity, decreased need for sleep, and rapid speech.

The Challenges

Dating someone with bipolar disorder is often challenging because it affects every area of their life in Rochelle. For instance, someone with bipolar disorder may desire frequent sex during manic or hypomanic phases. Additionally, it can be difficult for someone with bipolar disorder to hold down a job, which could mean that you become a source of financial aid at times.

If you are parents to children, you may need to provide extra support to your partner when it comes to parenting. Children look to their parents for security and stability, but the intense mood swings that come from bipolar disorder won’t provide this. Your partner must maintain treatment to ensure children have a safe environment.

Maintaining a Healthy Relationship

It will take work to maintain a healthy relationship with someone with bipolar disorder, but it can be done. One of the keys to supporting your relationship in counseling. Counseling will help you to understand and forgive hurtful behavior while setting some boundaries.

It’s also important to get involved in the treatment process. Not only will you gain a better understanding of the disorder and any required medication, but you’ll also be able to give counselors more insight into your partner. It’s a great opportunity to learn trigger signs for your partner and predict any future episodes.

Getting Help with Dating Someone with Bipolar Disorder in Rochelle

Dating someone with bipolar disorder can feel like a lonely place, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Braden Counseling Center, we can help give you the tools for a successful relationship. We can help you to understand each other and educate you both on what it means to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder and what treatment involves.

If you’d like to find out more about our counseling services in Rochelle or our other locations, contact us for more information.