Verbal Abuse and Bipolar Disorder


Many times on the message boards I have seen writing from someone in a relationship (or formerly in a relationship) with a bipolar person. Their posts tell stories of nightmarish manic and mixed episodes where, in a manic state the bipolar person became irrational, screamed, threw things, and seemed to have no remorse for their actions.

On other websites for which I write about mental illness, I have had comments on my articles from people who wish we would simply "snap out of it" or "take responsibility."

My regular readers know that my position on this attitude is that if we are "good" and take our medications, see our doctors and therapists, watch our diets (I have had notable relief from my summer mixed mania with increased fatty acids from eating salmon salad and wheat thins each day for lunch) and get rest and exercise, and our symptoms "break through" in spite of our efforts (and in my experience they can and do!) then how much more responsibility can we take, and how much do we need to accept that sometimes our best efforts are not enough, and no medication is a cure?

I have shared the personal stories on this site of people with bipolar disorder living in community and loving in relationships that are always complicated by one or both partners having bipolar disorder.

Ronni writes on a message board about a fight with her boyfriend, who is bipolar:

"My bf and I had an argument two nights ago and it turned into a big disaster....I started the fight but was not planning to fight all night. I guess this triggered his bipolar disorder. He was upset at me for being upset at him. He was verbally abusive in public and it was really humiliating. He insulted my whole being. I was so hurt that I insulted him back -- totally stupid of me because it made matters worse. Now he is threatening to leave me because he thinks he is better off without me. I'm hurt."

"I would like for him to calm down and to realize that we had made a mistake. I love him and willing to work things out but right now all he has in his heart is hate for me. Is this a behavior of a bipolar? And what can I do to get the sweet, loving boyfriend back? When he is normal he can be really sweet. Right now his behavior is really dreadful."

The copyright of the article Verbal Abuse and Bipolar Disorder in Mental Illness is owned by Amy Hillgren Peterson. Permission to republish Verbal Abuse and Bipolar Disorder in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2 3

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic