I pull away because I don't want to hurt anybody else. It's all I can do to deal with ME. I don't have the emotional energy to deal with people's sadness because they feel helpless about me. I hate seeing people hurt; especially those I love and knowing my illness is the source of their pain. So, when I feel really good, I may go visit them to let them know I'm doing well. When I'm depressed, I stay away from everyone.

It's normal to isolate for various reasons. The main thing in doing this, at least for me, is so that I conserve my energy to work on whatever's going on. (Most of the time I find that other people are distractions.) Without having done any research on it, I'm certain that isolating is common among many groups of people, such as those enduring a fatal illness.

sometimes i isolate because the day to day stress of life can create a frenzy in the bipolars head, and sometimes even though i feel really guilty for pulling away, i just need time to focus on something and let the frenzy traffic in my head slow down enough to be able to come back to my life after a short mini vacation in the computer room playing mind numbing pyramid

I do that for my families own protection. I just don't want to involve them in the daily chaos which is my life.

When I have one of my "bad days" I tend to lock my self in my bedroom. My husband comes in every once in awhile and checks on me. I do push everyone away. Except my husband won't stay away. He lets me lay there and cry.Most of the time I don't have to say anything he just knows.
For example, I came home and told him I lost my job, I was crying and having a panic attack. He went and got my Xanax and did not leave my side( without being asked) .

Yes i do this to, & i know its cause i dont want to bring others around me down. Thing is i also know its those people who i need the most at this time, its so dumb, wish i could say more.
All the best to you
HUGS
dee

I feel its the need to isolate when becoming symptomatic. I live alone, and I now crave company, but when I get it, I still have that need of being alone.

I isolate a great deal. I have periods where I am more active and social. As a bipolar II, my manias and depressions are more spread out and less intense than a BPI, but they are more pervasive and they "linger" more.

Yes, when I am hurt, I withdraw.

i pull away because i cant hold it in i let peopel know and i am not always right you can image how this goes over there are peopel who understand that thing get emtionally and peopel who dont i tend to need the peopel who are able to shrug it off because sometimes my idea are not the norm of my reaction is comforting i just use my opinion to make point at bad times so peopel pull away from me to but i would find peopel willling to forgive becaose even if you are wrong or hurtfull for the moment it better for your self to talk it out then it is to let it stew and hold in all those feeling so just let people know that they may get an answer that isnt the best one possiable and let them know that you may give them answers that are your best at time because of your own state i know you dont want to hurt peopel but if you hold it in it hurts you so be open with people i think if they love they will understand