Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
I am engaged to a guy is bi-polar. He started treatment with therapy and meds just 3 months ago. I knew he was bi-polar from the beginning of our relationship and did a lot of research about bi-polar as well how to have a healthy relationship with someone who is BP.
My fianc is a rapid cycler and his manias are not very severe as his depression is not severe also in terms of destructive behaviors.
What I am struggling with is the things that are said when he is in a bad mood. He gets extremely defensive and when things cool off/he cycles out of that mood, he is fine and I am left hurt by his words and coldness during his cycle. I know the things he said aren't really what he would normally say but it still hurts.
How do you handle this? How do you communicate with the person when they are calm without causing more stress?
Thank you for any advice you can give.
My fianc is a rapid cycler and his manias are not very severe as his depression is not severe also in terms of destructive behaviors.
What I am struggling with is the things that are said when he is in a bad mood. He gets extremely defensive and when things cool off/he cycles out of that mood, he is fine and I am left hurt by his words and coldness during his cycle. I know the things he said aren't really what he would normally say but it still hurts.
How do you handle this? How do you communicate with the person when they are calm without causing more stress?
Thank you for any advice you can give.
I try to end the conversation or leave the area to minimize the argument or hurtful things said. I alao have learned to detach myself from the experience (as much as possible) if it's really bad. I try to remind myself that it is the disorder, not the man saying hurtful things, and live in a constant state of forgiveness at times.
Try and talk to him when he's in a good place and strategize on how to prevent thoae things from happening or minimizing the fallout of his words. Good luck!