How to Tell Your Partner About Your Bipolar Disorder
When do I disclose my bipolar disorder?
Determining when to disclose your bipolar disorder in a romantic relationship is quite complex. There is no be-all and end-all correct answer. Considering personal preference, timing, what is going on in each of your lives, the direction of the relationship and your level of comfort with the other person will determine how, when and where you will disclose. Being anxious or concerned about their reaction is normal.
• What is Bipolar disorder?
Using terms they may understand.
To make a difficult subject easier to digest when talking with your love interest, use terms they are familiar with. Depending on their reaction, you will be able to judge if they want to know more. You might say, “Sometimes I feel depressed.” Or, “I have mood swings, but I am in recovery with this.”
If they handle the basic information well, move on.
There will be a time when you will want to disclose the actual diagnosis. “I have bipolar disorder and it’s manageable.” It is more common than not that people have distorted views of this mental illness. The views can even be quite extreme. Once you put out there that you have bipolar, you can then address these false beliefs. Be patient with their questions and how fast they learn.
What if they freak out?
Be prepared that your love interest could go off the deep end. They are just unable to handle, for whatever reasons, your illness. Remember: they are not rejecting you. They are rejecting the bipolar. Think of it this way: it is better to find out now than when you are more involved and have more emotions invested in the relationship. Also, better to find out now than when you are needing the extra support from your partner and they drop the ball.
Looking ahead into the future.
Once the illness has been disclosed and your relationship has progressed nicely, you can discuss making him/her more involved in your recovery efforts. They can go with you to a support group like Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance or National Association on Mental Illness. Maybe they can accompany you on a therapy session or an appointment with your psychiatrist. This too will help demystify the bipolar and create a stronger bond.
References:
“The Bipolar Disorder Answer Book” by Charles Atkins, M.D.
Going Further:
https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/features/bipolar-romantic-relationships-dating-and-marriage#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/relationship-guide
https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/caregiver-break-up
http://www.bipolar-lives.com/bipolar-relationships.html
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Getty Images photo via savageultralight
I am a published freelance writer, blogger and speaker. Founder of Life Conquering, a blog for mental illnesses. The mission is to encourage people with mental illnesses and to educate those who don't in order to tear down the walls of stigma.
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