How do I live with a bipolar spouse?

Other ways you can help your spouse, yourself, and your marriage
  1. Make a plan together. ...
  2. Talk about impulsive and reckless behaviors. ...
  3. Don't take mood changes personally. ...
  4. Ensure they have the resources they need. ...
  5. Remember to enjoy time with each other. ...
  6. Take care of yourself. ...
  7. Ask for help when you need it.


How do you survive a bipolar spouse?

10 Tips for Coping With a Bipolar Spouse
  1. Coping with Bipolar Spouse Mood Swings.
  2. Breathe. When things are tough, take a deep breath and step back. ...
  3. Build support. ...
  4. Get away. ...
  5. Laugh. ...
  6. Enforce meds. ...
  7. Recall your love. ...
  8. Know (or grow) your philosophy of marriage.


What is it like to be married to a bipolar husband?

“Living with a spouse diagnosed with bipolar disorder presents unique challenges. The disease involves frequent periods of unpredictable mood swings from being very depressed and withdrawn from family and friends—to periods of mania, anger, fights and risk-taking behaviors.


How do you deal with a bipolar partner?

Romantic relationships with someone who has bipolar disorder
  1. Educate yourself. This is the first thing you should do when you start a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder. ...
  2. Ask about their experience. ...
  3. Try to be patient. ...
  4. Be open. ...
  5. Support their care. ...
  6. Get support when you need it.


Can bipolar have a happy marriage?

If you spouse fully accepts the diagnosis and resolves to get treatment, you could begin working together and make the marriage stronger than ever. Many people with bipolar disorder have happy, successful marriages.


Mental illness consumed my marriage -- until this epiphany



How many marriages last with bipolar?

In the United States and Canada, at least 40 percent of all marriages fail. But the statistics for marriages involving a person who has bipolar disorder are especially sobering—an estimated 90 percent of these end in divorce, according to the article “Managing Bipolar Disorder” in Psychology Today.

What does bipolar look like in a marriage?

Being in a Relationship with Someone Who Is Bipolar

Those with bipolar disorder may also engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or extramarital affairs while manic. During episodes of depression, your partner may avoid sexual contact altogether.

How do you make a bipolar person happy?

Supporting someone who is manic
  1. Spend time with your loved one. ...
  2. Answer questions honestly. ...
  3. Don't take any comments personally. ...
  4. Prepare easy-to-eat meals and drinks. ...
  5. Avoid subjecting your loved one to a lot of activity and stimulation. ...
  6. Allow your loved one to sleep whenever possible.


How does bipolar disorder affect marriage?

Bipolar illness has a negative impact on the lives of partners including self-sacrifice, caregiver burden, emotional impact, and health problems. This negative impact can be aggravated by a lack of care and a lack of information from health personnel.

Do people with bipolar have intimacy issues?

People with bipolar disorder may experience libido changes, impulsive sexual behaviors, and other intimacy challenges.

Does bipolar affect intimacy?

Bipolar disorder can also affect your sexuality and sexual activity. During a manic episode, you may experience hypersexuality, or an increase in sexual activity. It may place you at an increased risk for actions that may have negative effects, such as contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).


How do you deal with bipolar anger?

There are many ways to manage bipolar anger and irritability, including the following strategies:
  1. Sticking to a treatment plan. ...
  2. Journaling to understand triggers. ...
  3. Planning with loved ones. ...
  4. Managing stress. ...
  5. Trying cognitive behavioral therapy. ...
  6. Adjusting medication.


Are bipolar relationships toxic?

Bipolar disorder and marriage can be toxic to a relationship. That's when a relationship fails or is failing. It can trigger negative reactions that could lead to self-harm, self-loathing or worse. Relationship issues need to be watched and positively regulated from our youth onward.

How do bipolar person act in a relationship?

A person with bipolar disorder may disagree with their partner more easily during a manic episode. Risk taking behaviors, such as spending sprees or binge drinking, may happen during a manic episode. These behaviors may create tension within a relationship.


How old does the average person with bipolar disorder live?

The authors found that the pooled life expectancy for patients with bipolar disorder, after removal of 1 outlier study, was 67.4 years (95% CI 65.2-69.7), with no evidence of publication bias. Life expectancy was significantly shorter in men (64.6) compared to women (70.5).

How many relationships fail because of bipolar?

Bipolar Disorder and Marriage

But when one partner has bipolar disorder, simple stressors can reach epic proportions. That may be why as many as 90% of marriages involving someone with bipolar disorder reportedly fail.

Does bipolar disorder cause infidelity?

Infidelity is common in bipolar disorder, and sadly, it can inflict lasting damage to a bipolar relationship.


Can you divorce a bipolar spouse?

It may take longer to get through the divorce process when mental illnesses like bipolar disorder are severe and out of control. Expect to spend longer than normal trying to work things out, or waiting on the court to handle the details for you if they cannot be worked out amicably.

What not to say to someone with bipolar disorder?

30 Things Not To Say To Those With Bipolar Disorder
  • “Everyone has something.”
  • “You don't know what goes on behind closed doors.”
  • “You always look for an excuse.”
  • “How are you managing?” (And other loaded questions).
  • “Be nice.”
  • “Calm down.”
  • “I'm not very happy with you right now.”
  • “Why can't you just be happy?”


What do people with bipolar need?

You'll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control manic or hypomanic episodes. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).


What are the actions of a bipolar person?

Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

Why does bipolar push away partners?

A bipolar person may avoid relationships because they don't feel good enough for other people. Sometimes these feelings come on quickly and cause those with mental health conditions to push away others in existing relationships. This can lead to social isolation.

What are the tell tale signs of bipolar?

Symptoms - Bipolar disorder
  • feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time.
  • lacking energy.
  • difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
  • loss of interest in everyday activities.
  • feelings of emptiness or worthlessness.
  • feelings of guilt and despair.
  • feeling pessimistic about everything.
  • self-doubt.


How do you not let your partner's mood affect you?

How To Not Let Someone Else's Mood Affect You, According To...
  • Consider How You Think About Your Emotions. In order to understand how other people's emotions might impact you, understand how you deal with your own emotions first. ...
  • Remind Yourself That Their Pain Is Not Your Pain. ...
  • Anticipate Someone Else's Mood.


Is bipolar disorder ground for divorce?

According to the Section 13 of the Act, divorce or judicial separation can be obtained if the person has been “incurably of unsound mind,” or has been suffering continuously or intermittently from “mental disorder of such a kind and to such an extent that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the ...