Yes, people with bipolar disorder often "ghost" or withdraw from others, especially during depressive or manic episodes, due to overwhelm, shame, fear of being a burden, or self-stigma, not necessarily because they want to end the relationship. This behavior is a symptom of the illness, a way to cope with intense emotions or internal struggles, and it can be confusing and painful for the person being ghosted, but it's often a manifestation of their illness rather than a personal rejection.
Impacts on Relationships
When a person with bipolar disorder ignores you, it can strain the relationship. Feelings of confusion, rejection, and worry can arise. It's important to understand that this behavior is not a reflection of you or the relationship, but rather, a symptom of their mental health condition.
Signs You're Being Ghosted (And She's Not Just Busy)
If you're living with someone with bipolar disorder, it can be challenging when your loved one goes through changes in mood and energy. While you're there to support them, they might not respond to your help, they might push you away, or they might ignore you.
Recognize the Signs of Pushing Away
Individuals with bipolar disorder often experience periods of withdrawal, where they push away the people closest to them. This behavior can stem from various factors, including feelings of shame, guilt, fear of burdening others, or the belief that isolation is the only solution.
A person with bipolar disorder may ghost others due to overwhelm, confusion, or fear. They may feel shame about past behavior or guilt for hurting others. Education about the condition helps them recognize patterns. Working with an expert in psychology or psychiatry can improve insight and emotional regulation.
Social withdrawal can also be understood as a consequence of self-stigma experiences. That is, the way patients integrate their beliefs, prejudices and stigmatizing behaviors, can lead them to suffer a great degree of guilt, shame, social withdrawal and abandonment of personal goals (Richard-Lepouriel, 2015).
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Positive things to say to someone with bipolar disorder
“You're not alone in this. I'm here for you.” “I understand that it's your illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.” “You may not believe it now, but the way you're feeling can and will change.”
Blackouts can last for weeks or even months in some extreme situations. These long-lasting power outages are usually signs of severe episodes of mania or depression and have a significant effect on one's life, interactions, and obligations.
If you usually talk every hour, 3 days is a lot. In many cases it's not much. If there have been multiple attempts to make contact it's more likely to be ghosting, too.
Soft ghosting is the slow fade, the art of disengaging without fully disappearing. It's when someone stops replying in a meaningful way but still offers minimal interaction—like “liking” your message or reacting to a post with an emoji.
Other things you can say:
A healthy relationship with someone experiencing bipolar disorder requires a nuanced understanding of triggers that influence mood swings. A partner's consideration and proactive efforts in managing these triggers reflect a deep sense of care and concern for the relationship's well-being.
Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder don't have mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment can help manage these symptoms.
Research shows at least some people with bipolar disorder have difficulty recognising other people's facial and vocal emotional expressions.
For example, short-term memory loss may make it hard to recall what you said or did that affected loved ones during a recent mood episode, says Khan. In turn, that “not knowing” may negatively affect those relationships.
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.
Stick to a routine
Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation, mindfulness, hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system.
Those with bipolar I depression were mainly hospitalized in summer and winter, whereas for bipolar II depression most admissions for depression occurred in the spring and summer.
Being a close family or friend of someone with bipolar disorder (BD) can lead to experiences of increased stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms related to the burden of caring.
Watching someone you love struggle with Bipolar Disorder can be equally challenging and exhausting. Seeing your loved one experience hopelessness, frequent crying spells, social and career frustrations, and feelings of worthlessness can be heartbreaking.
Sometimes, individuals with bipolar disorder might feel ashamed or want to pull away during tough times, while their partners may feel guilty or think they're to blame for the relationship problems. This combination can make it harder to resolve conflicts and can create ongoing negative patterns in the relationship.
The Takeaway. A poor diet can contribute to bipolar mood episodes, and certain food choices may help manage them. People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats.