Marriage and Bipolar Disorder

Being married to someone with bipolar disorder is where communication, patience, and flexibility are mandatory to make it work. 

We are married and we walk together through these episodes, for better or worse.

You aren’t a mind reader, but at times it helps. Some days they are energized and happy, but there are other times when they retreat into darkness.

As a carer you need learn that you can’t solve this and make your partner better, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that needs managing as a team.

Watching your partner go through their first episode and diagnosis is heartbreaking and you feel helpless to see them suffer. 

But we still walk together. Being a supportive partner doesn’t mean you have all the answers listening without judgment and creating a safe, stable home goes a long way to stability.

It is important to promote boundaries in relationships; boundaries give the partner options to understand protections for the both of you with trust and safety.

Love and care take on new sensitivities when one partner has bipolar disorder, the care can be as basic as just sitting with them, helping them plan their doctors’ appointments and encouraging walks in the sun.

But remember your self-care is important as well, taking time out, spending time with your friends and resting, so you can continue to walk together.