If you are dating a women who is bipolar what should you expect and how can you handle the highs and lows without making things worse for her or you?

Answer 1

== == == == The following answer is provided by someone who does not have bipolar. People with bipolar are people and they're all different. Some do fine without meds.

from below .. "If she suddenly becomes super happy one moment and then flies into rages or becomes extremely depressed" sorry, it doesn't work like that. --

If this woman is not seeking therapy or on medication I am sorry to say that you are in for the ride of your life if she doesn't follow doctor's orders. SHE MUST take her medications according to doctor's instructions and if she does she should just be fine and the only problems you both should have are normal ones. If she persists on not taking medications or playing around with her dosage without seeing her doctor then don't be afraid to talk to her and tell her to smarten-up. 75% of people that are on some type of medication don't listen to their doctor and don't work with their doctor to adjust dosages and they will often quit the medication (some medications shouldn't be dramatically stopped) or adjust the dosage themselves as they see fit. Go into this relationship with eyes wide open and if you are committed to her then realize you need to communicate well. If she suddenly becomes super happy one moment and then flies into rages or becomes extremely depressed you know something is up and she is either not taking her medications or the dose needs to be adjusted. DON'T BE AFRAID to suggest this to her! If she isn't willing to work with her doctor or look after herself then you are going to have make a decision as to whether you want to stay in a relationship with her. People who suffer from brain chemistry disorders are not abnormal people and with some understand re bi-polar there is no reason you couldn't have a good relationship together. Some people feel being on especially a medication for a condition of the brain such as depression (includes bi-polar) etc., is a weakness and it is no different than having Diabetes or some other illness. Not so long ago (and even today it can happen) people often will look their nose down at a person with a mental condition. It's sad because the person looking their nose down at the person is ignorant and knows little about this mental condition and it hurts the person that has it. Thus, they feel different and don't always feel they are like anyone else. If all of us were honest in ourselves we each have a flaw in our personality that could possibly need correcting by a therapist or even in some cases medications. There are many people walking around in society that don't even know they are depressed. Although I didn't suffer from bi-polar (can be genetic) I did suffer from panic attacks and Agoraphobia years ago. I had gone through a bad divorce, was working hard, remarried a few years later to a wonderful man and then my father suffered a debilitating stroke. I basically burned the candle at both ends. At this time when I got the panic attacks little was known about it and I had to leave my job (couldn't cope.) The company I worked for was wonderful and gave me full pay for the whole year, but I had to be fair about it and I gave up my job. It devastated me. To make a long story short, I did eventually find a doctor that knew all about panic attacks, was put on an antidepressant and I've been fine ever since. I no longer have to be on antidepressants because while I was on them I also took counseling and learned "Cognitive Therapy" techniques as tool to deal with stress. I now eat well, exercise and fill my head with more up-lifting things and so when the rotten things in life hit me between the eyes I can handle it and I'm a much stronger person today than I was before. For those that couldn't understand my illness I knew within myself I was a good person, strong in spirit, prayed every night and I can tell you honestly that I didn't get well alone, but faith in God got me through it. I do believe in miracles! I was lucky to have support from family and friends and one wonderful husband, but I too worked hard to get better. I feel I have much more empathy towards people and can understand their problems and have more patience when they aren't always kind to me. I think you should give this relationship a shot. Talk to her about it. Go on the computer and ask about bi-polar because I believe when you learn about something then it's not such a mystery and so frightening. Good luck