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<\/p>\nFriendships can be very difficult for people with bipolar. My article from Bp Magazine can help you understand why… and how you can help yourself or a person with bipolar navigate friendships that cause mood swings….<\/p>\n
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Bipolar can damage, even ruin, a friendship. If it ends badly, both people are hurt\u2014and I might experience a mood episode. So, I discuss this freely with others and acknowledge my imperfections.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019ve noticed that, in general, our attitude about and understanding of romantic relationships is quite different from our beliefs and expectations surrounding friendships. For instance, we find it natural that, sometimes, romantic relationships end, and we can usually list\u00a0the reasons why:<\/p>\n The ending of a romantic relationship or partnership might be painful and heartbreaking. But, overall, we tend to accept that many romantic relationships have a time limit or a life span.<\/p>\n For some reason, though, we think friendships are supposed to be different!\u00a0We often have the belief that\u00a0friendship is forever<\/em>. When we hear\u00a0stories of lifelong friends,\u00a0especially online, it reinforces this ideal:<\/p>\n Viewing friendships this way can lead to a lot of pain and stress\u2014and possibly trigger bipolar\u00a0symptoms and\/or mood episodes\u2014when our own friendships don\u2019t follow this anticipated lifelong path. As a society, we have created a\u00a0friendship ideal that simply does\u00a0not\u00a0<\/em>match reality.<\/p>\nRomance Fades, But Friendship Is Forever?<\/span><\/h3>\n
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