The spouse might feel confused, not knowing how to deal with certain behaviors. The tricky part comes up when neither you nor your spouse knows bipolar disorder may be behind the tension and trouble between the two of you. Often the individual doesn't even know she has bipolar disorder.
“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 The disease involves frequent periods of unpredictable mood swings from being very depressed and withdrawn from family and friends—to periods of mania, anger, fights and risk-taking behaviors.
You can absolutely have a healthy, happy relationship with a partner who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The condition may bring both positive and challenging aspects to the relationship, but you can take steps to support your partner and to help them manage their symptoms.
The good news is that if your partner is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and moves forward with treatment, you can work together to make your marriage healthy and successful.
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.
Of course, there are many reasons for infidelity within a marriage or committed relationship, and it's important to remember that having bipolar disorder does not mean you can't be faithful to a romantic partner.
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.
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).
Your spouse's moods may vacillate between debilitating depression and frantic energy. Over time, the ongoing strain of this situation may be too much for the marriage to handle. Divorce is never easy and having to go through it with a bipolar partner, can make the process less predictable and more stressful.
Dating someone with bipolar disorder can be challenging, because you can't control when your partner experiences a mood shift. To help your relationship succeed, focus on communication, support your partner's treatment plan, and don't forget to take care of yourself.
When Is It Time to Walk Away? In some cases, the decision to leave is obvious. If physical abuse is present to any degree, and especially if the individual fears for their own life or well-being or that of their children, it's important to leave as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority.
Having a relationship when you live with bipolar disorder is difficult. But it's not impossible. It takes work on the part of both partners to make sure the marriage survives. The first step is to get diagnosed and treated for your condition.
Feeling abandoned and unloved during a bipolar depression is not reality; it's a symptom of the illness—and it can be treated.
Let yourself feel the emotions
These emotions can feel uncomfortable for someone with bipolar disorder, but they are a normal part of a relationship breakup. Give yourself time to work through your feelings one by one, and remember they are a normal part of the grieving process when a relationship ends.
During manic episodes
A manic episode can cause a person with bipolar disorder to experience hypersexuality. They may feel as if their sex drive is always very high, which can create difficulties. People experiencing hypersexuality may never feel satisfied with sex.
Extreme moods and energy levels of bipolar can translate into hypersexuality or disinterest. Although challenging at times, it's absolutely possible to have a fulfilling sex life as a person with bipolar disorder. You just have to be mindful of the complications and look out for the pitfalls.
Does bipolar hypersexuality last forever? Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. 9 However, that does not necessarily mean bipolar hypersexuality will last forever. People with bipolar disorder experience episodes of depression, mania, and even phases without depression or mania.
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.
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.
Hypersexuality can exist as a sign of bipolar disorder or on its own. Also referred to as compulsive sexual behavior or sexual addiction, hypersexuality is described as a dysfunctional preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors that are difficult to control.
They found that 12 risk genes for bipolar disorder were also linked to intelligence. In 75 % of these genes, bipolar disorder risk was associated with higher intelligence. In schizophrenia, there was also a genetic overlap with intelligence, but a higher proportion of the genes was associated with cognitive impairment.