Tips To Mend A Relationship Damaged By Bipolar Disorder

It can be difficult for someone with bipolar disorder to form stable, long-lasting relationships...

Bipolar Disorder
March 21, 2025

It can be difficult for someone with bipolar disorder to form stable, long-lasting relationships.Generally, relationships play an important role in support for bipolar disorder.Surrounding oneself with those who care about your well-being and want to help you through challenging times makes dealing with the disorder less difficult.However, after a fallout, rebuilding trusting bonds can be difficult for people with bipolar disorder.In many cases, this is because the underlying bipolar disorder symptoms are to blame for the occurrence of the problems.However, just because you're bipolar doesn't mean you have to avoid having relationships, finding love, or mending damaged relationships.The first step to take to mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder is to make amends for the factors that caused the fallout in the first place.By making amends, you can show your commitment to fixing things and seek forgiveness for the problems on your path that caused the end of the relationship.Towards mending a relationship, it is also important that both parties learn more about the disorder, what to expect, and how to navigate an issue that arises.This way, the people involved are more informed and prepared.Another thing to consider when you want to mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder is counseling.Counseling provides a means for people to express themselves and discuss whatever issues they are dealing with.Read on to learn ways to mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder.

Make Amends

Making amends is typically synonymous with offering an apology.However, apologizing is only the beginning of the process for an individual to mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder.To make amends means to put wrongs right.This is the wish to mend strained ties.It could be extremely challenging to put yourself out there and allow yourself to be vulnerable, but it is a crucial part of making amends.This step toward mending a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder involves being honest — with yourself and the person you've hurt.By being honest with the person, you are showing them that you truly want to mend the relationship and feel bad about how things ended.After apologizing, ask the offended party how you can make amends. This will demonstrate that you intend to make amends for your actions.

Strict Adherence To Medication And Treatment

The term "bipolar" refers to two mood extremes: mania and depression.Bipolar disorder patients typically experience these extremes at different times, though the two mood states can coexist (known as a mixed state).Undoubtedly, such factors can have an impact on relationships with others.However, bipolar disorder patients can also experience periods of balanced mood.For instance, mood stabilizers can assist individuals with bipolar disorder in maintaining their mood within this range.This is why sticking to your bipolar treatment is important if you want to mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder.Treatment for bipolar disorder provides the opportunity to lead a normal life despite the disorder.Bipolar disorder necessitates lifelong treatment with medications, even during times of improvement.People who stop treatment are at a high risk of experiencing a recurrence of symptoms or having minor mood shifts.

Get Educated

The first step in mending a relationship is for both people involved to gain insight into the person's motivations for their behavior.Having a better understanding of bipolar disorder will aid those living with it and those who care for them in dealing with the disorder.Raising people's understanding of bipolar disorder will help the world become more attuned to its symptoms.They'll figure out how to collaborate with someone who's bipolar to set realistic goals and establish a supportive setting for the latter's growth and development.Having social support will aid in recovery and the maintenance of health.Bipolar individuals are sometimes shunned by their families and communities due to a lack of understanding and awareness regarding bipolar disorder.Improved knowledge will bridge the barrier and can help people mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder.

Consider Counselling

Every relationship has its ups and downs, but when your partner has bipolar disorder, it can get too overwhelming for you.It is stressful and exhausting not to know what to expect each day.Eventually, it wears on the relationship over time.Counseling together is crucial when dealing with hurt feelings caused by a partner's bipolar disorder.Partner harm and offense are common experiences for those with bipolar disorder.Counseling can help each person realize that the other's actions were caused by an illness.It provides ways to forgive the hurtful actions that were carried out while the bipolar person was experiencing a mood disorder.It also lets you establish limits with a significant other in regard to maintaining treatment.

A counseling session.

Communicate

It's challenging for people to deal with stressors when they have trouble communicating with others in their relationships.When two people in a relationship can discuss their emotions, needs, and boundaries with one another, they can better support and encourage one another.It also gives them room to practice conflict resolution skills and learn how to work through their differences as a team so that their relationship doesn't deteriorate.One's ability to have a healthy relationship and one's ability to feel emotionally connected to another are both bolstered by this.If a relationship has suffered as a result of the effects of bipolar disorder, talking things over can be helpful for both parties.However, in some cases, the damage is irreparable.However, our experience has shown that if you come from a genuine place, people are more likely to listen to you.

Conclusion

Friends and relationships are an important part of navigating life in general.In life, as a bipolar person, situations can come about that can damage relations; however, by taking the right steps, you might get your chance to mend this.Don't let the circumstances of your condition stop you from living your life.There are numerous forms of support for bipolar disorder that can help you get back on track.You can mend a relationship damaged by bipolar disorder by making amends, strict adherence to medication and treatment, getting educated, considering counseling, and communicating.

Resources

https://www.bphope.com/mend-relationships-strained-bipolar/#:~:text=First%20is%20getting%20treatment%2C%20with,be%20resolved%2C%20perhaps%20in%20counseling.

https://www.bphope.com/bipolar-stories-video-blog/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-mending-relationships-damaged-by-bipolar/

https://www.marriage.com/advice/mental-health/reasons-why-bipolar-relationships-fail/

https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/relationship-guide

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders/bipolar-relationships-what-to-expect

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/mood-stabilizing-medication#:~:text=Overview-,Mood%20stabilizers%20are%20medications%20used%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20bipolar,prevent%20manic%20and%20depressive%20episodes.

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Bipolar Disorder

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