Maintaining relationships while managing bipolar disorder is tough. Here are personal stories, practical advice and tips to make relationships a bit easier.
Abandonment in his past has led columnist Jasper Benitez to fear the future. Now, he is working to stay focused on the present. By Jasper Benitez As someone who lives with bipolar, I can tell you that fear of the future is one of my biggest struggles. I become so engulfed with thoughts about...
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Sick leave is not a vacation, it’s a necessary measure to treat the depression that interferes with the ability to make effective decisions By Lynda Williams Having an invisible illness like bipolar gives me the option to disclose or not based on what I feel is necessary and appropriate, and for the...
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Having bipolar disorder is challenging when it comes to maintaining healthy relationships, but there is much we can do to encourage the acceptance of ourselves and one another. By Andrea Paquette I have been in love many times throughout my life and have had a number of long-term relationships. The last one ended...
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Self-awareness and healthy boundaries are key to maintaining strong relationships with your significant others, family and friends when mood swings threaten to pull you apart. By Robin L. Flanigan All relationships ebb and flow. It comes with the territory because, well, we’re human. But when bipolar is part of the equation, the dynamics of...
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Stereotyping can come at unexpected moments and you may not know how to react—this can be fuel for your mission to combat stigma. By Carol Borrelli As a person with a mental health condition, and almost a lifetime of caring for others with one as well, countering stigma means the world to me. I...
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Sometimes it helps to trust that our loved-ones can provide valuable insight into our behavior to help us cope with symptoms. By Julie A. Fast My mom is by far my biggest support. She has always been here for me even when she had no idea how to help me. It has been...
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It’s not possible to “save” someone from bipolar, but there are many ways they CAN help you Hi, I’m Natasha Tracy and this is BP Magazine’s BPHope vlog. Today I want to talk about “white knight syndrome” in relationships. When some people look at a person with bipolar disorder, they may see the person...
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The process of accepting a bipolar diagnosis is long and arduous—for both you AND your family members. By Lindsay Wheeler I say my life started in 2014 when I began writing about my secret battle with bipolar. Just after telling my parents, I announced it publicly on Facebook. Wrapped up in the sensation of...
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It can be difficult to talk to others about bipolar for many reasons—arming yourself with education and preparing examples can help. If I walk up to someone who doesn’t know anything about bipolar disorder and just tell them I have bipolar disorder, chances are very good there’s going to be a massive misunderstanding there....
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When speaking to a loved one with bipolar, remain cognizant of what you say– you may unintentionally be affecting their recovery. By Stephen Propst Knowing what to say when you’re speaking to some- one who is living with bipolar can be challenging. You may unintentionally or unknowingly be using words that are disheartening and discouraging,...
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