{"id":7544,"date":"2018-05-28T10:54:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T15:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/goodyear-village-az-cdp\/maintaining-a-healthy-relationship-when-your-partner-has-bipolar-disorder\/"},"modified":"2018-06-27T12:24:41","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T17:24:41","slug":"maintaining-a-healthy-relationship-when-your-partner-has-bipolar-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/goodyear-village-az-cdp\/maintaining-a-healthy-relationship-when-your-partner-has-bipolar-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintaining a Healthy Relationship When Your Partner Has Bipolar Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Bipolar disorder is a difficult, complicated illness. And like any illness, it can naturally spill over into your relationship. As couples therapist Julia Nowland noted, \u201cBipolar disorder can be an emotional roller-coaster ride for the couple, with many ups and downs that mimic the disorder itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

But this doesn\u2019t mean your relationship is doomed to fail.<\/p>\n

Having a strong and fulfilling relationship is absolutely possible when both partners are committed to working as a team and creating a supportive, encouraging and accepting environment, said Lauren Dalton-Stern, LPCC, NCC, a therapist at the CARE Program at the University of California, a specialty clinic and research facility that treats teens and young adults who are experiencing early emerging symptoms of a mood disorder or psychosis.<\/p>\n

This starts with getting extensively educated about bipolar disorder. \u201cPsychoeducation is significant and one of the key components in the recovery and healing process that help decrease and in some cases, prevent the likelihood of relapse,\u201d Dalton-Stern said.<\/p>\n

Every person with bipolar disorder is different, and how the illness manifests will vary, too. The effects on a relationship will depend on the severity of your partner\u2019s bipolar disorder and whether it\u2019s being effectively managed. And, of course, every relationship also has its nuances. However, there are some general issues that come up. Below you\u2019ll find a list of challenges and suggestions to help, along with additional tips for building a healthy relationship.<\/p>\n

Challenge: You\u2019re struggling with your own symptoms and stressors.<\/h3>\n

Bipolar disorder can be exhausting for both the person with the illness and their partner. Over time, partners also might struggle with their own depressive symptoms, such as feeling hopeless and helpless, said Dalton-Stern, who also works with couples at her private practice Tranquility Counseling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many studies have actually found that partners of people with bipolar disorder can become emotionally withdrawn, because they\u2019re socializing less, taking on more of the household responsibilities and facing other stressors (like financial strain), she said.<\/p>\n

What can help: <\/em>Stern suggested establishing your own supportive network. One way, she said, is to attend support groups for people who have loved ones with bipolar disorder. You might start your search with these sites: Depression Bipolar Support Alliance<\/a>; National Alliance on Mental Health<\/a>; and Mental Health America<\/a>. Another way is to work with a therapist<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Challenge: You\u2019re unprepared for a manic or depressive episode.<\/h3>\n

Often couples aren\u2019t completely prepared for an episode to occur, said Jennine Estes, MFT, a marriage and family therapist who owns a group practice called\u00a0Estes Therapy<\/a>\u00a0in San Diego. This might be because you haven\u2019t talked about what to do when an episode starts, or you don\u2019t have permission to speak to your partner\u2019s medical team, she said.<\/p>\n

This \u201ctypically causes the relationship and both people to spiral out of control in reactive and survival ways.\u201d Both of you might panic. You feel helpless and try to exert more and more control, trying to manage your partner\u2019s every move, while they feel trapped and berated, and get worse.<\/p>\n

What can help: <\/em>The key is to sit down and create a written plan you both agree and feel comfortable with. It might include these components:<\/p>\n