People with bipolar disorder often consume alcohol to self-medicate, attempting to alleviate intense emotional distress, regulate mood swings, or manage sleep problems. Alcohol is used to soothe anxiety and boost low moods during depression, or to extend the euphoria and high energy of mania, though this often increases mood instability and triggers relapses.
Some people drink to ease depression, anxiety and other symptoms of bipolar disorder. Drinking may seem to help, but it makes symptoms worse as time goes on. This can lead to more drinking, creating a harmful cycle that's hard to overcome.
Alcohol Can Increase the Severity of Symptoms
Alcohol affects brain chemistry in ways that overlap with bipolar disorder itself. Drinking can intensify sympoms of depression and mania, making episodes more severe. This might include: Heightened irritability and impulsivity during mania.
Drinking alcohol can increase the severity of your symptoms.
Individuals with bipolar who drink alcohol have been found to be more violent, more impulsive, and more likely to engage in other types of substance abuse.
The first red flag of bipolar disorder often appears as significant changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping), dramatic shifts in mood (intense irritability, euphoria, or deep sadness), and increased energy or agitation, often accompanied by racing thoughts, impulsivity (like risky spending), or severe fatigue and loss of interest during depressive phases, with these shifts differing greatly from typical mood swings and often impacting daily functioning.
The Big Five personality comprises independent traits of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness (McCrae and John 1992) and forms the basis of several personality inventories (Costa and McCrae 1992).
Avoid Arguing or Raising Your Voice
Raising your voice or engaging in heated arguments with someone who has bipolar disorder can make the situation worse. During a manic episode, emotions are already heightened, and a raised tone or confrontation can escalate conflict and make it harder to manage.
Bipolar rage triggers can include high levels of stress, sleep deprivation, and sudden changes in routine or medication. In that case, it's crucial to recognize that these feelings could be associated with a larger issue like bipolar disorder.
Ups and downs are natural in any romantic relationship, but when your partner has bipolar disorder it can feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster. Not knowing what to expect each day is stressful and tiring. Over time, it wears on the relationship.
In most cases, effective treatment helps stabilize mood and prevent worsening symptoms. However, even with treatment, bipolar can get worse with age. Yes, bipolar can get worse with age. Older individuals with bipolar disorder may experience more depressive episodes, which can complicate the treatment plan.
People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats. Caffeine can affect sleep, and poor sleep is a trigger for bipolar mood swings.
Relationships suffer, careers are lost, and physical health declines. Most importantly, untreated end-stage bipolar disorder symptoms can result in self-harm or suicidal actions. Even with treatment, about 37% of patients relapse into depression or mania within 1 year, and 60% within 2 years.
The most serious side effect of chronic, unmanaged bipolar disorder is the increased risk for self-harm and suicidal ideation. Persistent low moods can feel so overwhelming that some people consider hurting themselves, isolating themselves, or ending their life out of hopelessness.
You can also support your loved one by:
Common triggers the person may experience include:
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.
These challenges can cause strain in a relationship for the person with the condition, as well as their spouse. It's common for someone with bipolar disorder to hurt or offend their partner or be controlling.
Ignoring a person with bipolar disorder can escalate their mood swings and trigger their negative emotions. It can be harmful to a person and your relationship with that person. This is because such a person might experience frequent changes in emotional stability.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Stay calm if you can. Help with breathing exercises or relaxation if they feel able to try these. Focus on supporting them with how they're feeling, rather than confirming or challenging their reality. Let them know that, although you don't share the belief, you understand that it feels real for them.
A bipolar meltdown could look different depending on the symptoms you're currently experiencing. For example, you might: Go on a “binge,” or “bender,” of continuous reckless activities, like substance use, unsafe sex, or spending money. Become verbally aggressive with someone, even someone you love.
Stressful life events
Or it may make symptoms feel more intense or difficult to manage. Things that can cause stress include: A relationship breakdown. Money worries and poverty.
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.
Mood stabilizers like lithium are often considered the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder, particularly Bipolar I. Lithium not only helps manage manic episodes but also significantly reduces the risk of suicide, a common concern with bipolar patients.