How to Have Normal Relationships With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chemically-caused mood disorder that causes those who suffer from it to swing between manic episodes and depressive episodes. Because of the vast differences in functioning capabilities caused by these two moods, those who suffer from BPD can experience difficulty in having normal, healthy relationships with other people. It is not impossible, however, but can often take more work to have a healthy relationship with someone who has BPD than it does with a person who does not suffer from a mood disorder.

Instructions

• 1

  Ensure that your mood disorder or the mood disorder of your loved one is indeed BPD. Almost everyone experiences up and down periods; a swinging emotional playing field is not necessarily indicative of BPD. It is characterized by the wild, irregular swing between the two extremes, with recent and frequent examples of both manic and depressive episodes, according to NIMH.nih.gov.

• 2

  Be completely upfront about the person who suffers from BPD with anyone involved in a relationship with him. Even limiting another person's knowledge for what seems like his own good could be seen as lying. It is important for trust to be established in order to have healthy and open relationships.

• 3

  Limit the exposure of the person without BPD to the manic or depressive episodes of the BPD sufferer. Though a person suffering from a manic or depressive episode is responsible for their own behavior, it can be difficult to confront such diverse moods at first. Gradually introduce the sufferer's difficulty without withholding vital information about it.

• 4

  Consider interpersonal and social rhythm therapy as a therapeutic method. ISRT is a treatment program that helps people with BPD improve their relationships and manage their daily routine. It has been shown to be an effective treatment method, and since its primary focus is on maintaining relationships, it may help your current relationships and any future ones, according to Medicalnewstoday.com.

• 5

  Continue all therapy, medication, and other treatment under the watch of a doctor or psychiatrist and seek the feedback from those in your relationships. As she gets to know you and you grow closer, she should be able to help manage your mood disorder better than you could have alone, and should also be able to anticipate problems before they happen.