Falling in love with a person is one of the best experiences that you can reward to yourself. It feels great to find someone whom you can get along with perfectly. There is so much joy in your heart by knowing that you have found the right person to share or spend the rest of your life with. However, a relationship can never be perfect no matter how much you love each other. There will come a time when you may discover that the one you admire has an issue that you need to accept.
In this article, we are going to discuss the possibility of falling in love with someone who has a bipolar disorder. According to John Preston, PsyD, “Bipolar disorder is probably the main psychiatric disorder where medication is absolutely essential.”
What if you discover that the man you love is mentally ill? Do you need to leave the relationship as soon as possible? Is there a way to make things work despite his disorder? The answer to these questions depends on how strong your feelings are. Allow us to explore some of the options that you can handle the current situation:
Understand That Being Bipolar Is Not A Choice
Take note that bipolar disorder is a mental condition and not a choice. As such, you cannot insist that the other person must get rid of this problem. Keep in mind that no one wants to have this disorder. The ideal thing that you must do is to understand the fact that it is beyond the control of the one you love. Never let the other person feel that he is incapable of being loved because of his condition.
Encourage your partner to be more open about his condition and show him your support. Let your partner know that he can use this interesting tip from Deborah Serani, PsyD: “Research shows that using this ‘Dear Diary’ approach sharpens your self-reflection skills.”
You Need To Prepare For The Consequences
When your loved one has a manic-depressive disorder, you should be prepared to handle all the challenges that will come your way. There will be several consequences of getting involved with this person. Be ready to keep your cool whenever the symptoms of the disorder start to manifest. Otherwise, it can cause some turmoil in the relationship. If this situation continues to happen, it may result in a breakup.
Be Ready To Become More Supportive
As already mentioned above, the choice of what to do next with your partner solely depends on you. Nobody else is going to decide for you. Remember that you are the only one who can assess the situation and make a choice. If you choose to stay, be ready to show constant support and assistance. Let the other person feel that his bipolar disorder has not affected your relationship. You can also work together with your partner in trying to survive the challenges that his disorder may bring into your marriage or relationship.
Be smart in deciding regarding this matter. What is important is to follow your heart. Do the thing that you know will make you happy in the end. You must have an open mind so that you will not experience difficulty in being in a relationship with someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder or manic-depressive condition. As the saying goes, “love conquers all.”
Let your partner become mindful. Saundra Jain, MA, PsyD, LPC said “Think about mindfulness as a way to soften, dampen, or quiet that internal chatter.”