What to Do When Someone with Bipolar Pushes You Away

It can be hurtful when someone you love is going through a hard time, and even worse when they start to distance themselves from you.
People with mental health issues like bipolar disorder can experience drastic ups and downs.
If someone you are close to has bipolar disorder and is pushing you away, it has nothing to do with you.
More importantly, it’s what they’re going through.
At Mind Restorative, we know how essential support is for someone with bipolar disorder.
Even if they don’t want your help, your understanding matters a lot.
If you feel down because they’re pushing you away, here are some things you should know.

Overview of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is when a person’s mood fluctuates greatly.
They might find themselves feeling happy and energetic one moment (that’s called a manic episode) and depressed and tired the next (that’s a depressive episode).
These mood swings can make daily living difficult — bipolar disorder can be a long-term condition.
People with bipolar disorder need the support of doctors, therapists, and their loved ones to cope with it.

Manic Episode

Manic episodes are intense episodes of bipolar disorder.
There show up as an increased mood, more energy, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, impulsivity, less sleepiness, talkativeness, and distractibility.

Depressive Episode

A depressive episode is a phase in bipolar disorder that involves constant low mood, fatigue, despair or hopelessness, changes in sleep patterns, trouble concentrating, and loss of interest.
Experiencing the desire to be alone and expressing sentiments like “I don’t want to be around anyone anymore” is a common feeling during periods of emotional exhaustion or overwhelm.
A person during this episode might ghost you out of self-protection or because they feel burdened.
If the depression is severe, it could last for weeks or months.

Mixed Episode

Mixed episodes involve symptoms from both mania and depression, making behavior unpredictable and communication erratic.
Ghosting could happen suddenly and sporadically during these episodes.
If you feel as though “my partner is depressed and pushing me away,” it creates an emotionally difficult situation.
If you or a loved one suffers from bipolar disorder, you can contact us for assistance.

What to Do When Someone with Bipolar Pushes You Away?

When you think someone with bipolar disorder is pushing you away, this is what you can do.

• You should approach someone with bipolar disorder with empathy and understanding when they push you away.
• Give them space while remaining supportive and patient.
• Recognize that bipolar disorder can affect their behavior.
• It’s often not about you, so don’t take it personally.
• As soon as they are ready to talk, express your concern for their welfare and encourage them to communicate openly.
• When someone with bipolar disorder ignores texts, this might be indicative of their current mood, so giving them space and support is essential to remaining compassionate.
• Additionally, you can encourage them to get professional help and give them your support.
• To be able to support someone with bipolar disorder, you should take care of yourself as well as talk to mental health professionals.

what to do when bipolar partner ignores you?

It can feel hurtful and confusing if your bipolar partner neglects you.
Rather than reflecting your worth or the strength of your relationship, their behavior is likely to be driven by their condition.
Here are some helpful tips.

• When a bipolar person cuts you off, they might be struggling with managing their emotions and relationships during different phases of the disorder.
• Learn the basics of bipolar disorder and separate their actions from intentional neglect.
• Talk to them honestly about their feelings and concerns. Sometimes, they are likely to withdraw because of overwhelming emotions.
• It is possible for them to become emotionally and physically unavailable during periods of depression.
• Encourage them to seek help from a therapist or psychiatrist.
• Find out what might trigger their mood swings and minimize them together.
• Having friends or family to lean on for emotional support is important.

Bipolar Ghosting Duration

Generally, there is no exact duration for how long someone with bipolar disorder might ghost you.
It is dependent on the experience of the person and the episode they are going through.
Although, this might happen during depressive bipolar episodes.

Does Tough Love Work with Bipolar?

The concept of tough love is a tricky one, especially when it comes to bipolar disorder.
Here’s why:

• Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can’t be controlled by willpower or discipline alone. Professional treatment and support are necessary to treat this condition.
• Tough love can sometimes feel like rejection or abandonment by someone with bipolar disorder, worsening their symptoms and make them unwell.
• Bipolar disorder can involve mood swings, so tough love might be counterproductive during periods of depression or mania.
• Tough love might overlook the underlying causes of bipolar disorder, namely genetics, brain chemistry, or environmental factors.

Bipolar Love Meaning

Usually, this refers to a romantic relationship with someone struggling from bipolar disorder.
It’s important to remember that bipolar disorder is a mental illness, not a defining characteristic of a person.
Reducing someone to their condition is invalidating and disrespectful.
It is dangerous to romanticize mental illness. Bipolar disorder can be extremely distressing.
People with bipolar falling in love quickly can be because of the intensity of their emotions.
As for isolation bipolar disorder, it is a condition in which people with bipolar disorder avoid social interaction with other people.

How to Tell if a Bipolar Man Loves You?

Recognizing love in someone with bipolar disorder involves being aware that emotional expressions can differ depending on the mood.
Look for consistent emotional support, open communication about their feelings, and efforts to maintain the relationship despite changing moods.
Notice signs of genuine care and concern during both high and low periods.
Additionally, a person with bipolar disorder who loves you might be willing to get professional help.
With this in mind, Mind Restorative provides support whenever it’s needed.

Bipolar Push-Pull Relationships

In relationships with bipolar disorder, emotions often go up and down a lot.
Sometimes, the person might want to be close and want affection (that’s the pull), and other times, they might feel distant and need space (that’s the push).
However, it’s important to understand that a healthy relationship should never reach the phase when you start hating your girlfriend, boyfriend or a partner.
To make it work, it’s important to talk openly, set clear boundaries, and understand that mood changes are part of the condition.
Seeking professional help, like consulting a therapist, can also strengthen the relationship.

Stay Connected

Communicating consistently is essential, even if there is a person pushing you away.
Keep in touch and provide reassurance occasionally, without expecting immediate responses.
It can help you reassure them that you are there to comfort and understand them.
Coping with a loved one who has bipolar disorder is undoubtedly stressful.
However, you can get through this by using the right approach.
Manage your feelings and dispel the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder.
Mind Restorative is here to provide support and guidance.
If you or someone you care about is getting affected by bipolar disorder, please reach out.

FAQs

Why does bipolar push away partners?

Bipolar people might push away their partners because of mood fluctuations.
During manic phases, they tend to isolate themselves, and depressive episodes can cause emotional distancing.

Why can bipolar people end a relationship so abruptly?

Abrupt endings in relationships for bipolar people can result from impulsive decisions made during manic episodes and overwhelming emotional lows experienced during depressive episodes.

What should you not say to someone with bipolar?

Make sure to avoid dismissive remarks like “It’s just a mood swing,” or “Snap out of it.”
Also, avoid blaming their actions on the disorder instead, have empathetic and supportive conversations with them.

When should you walk away from a bipolar relationship?

It might be time to walk away from a bipolar relationship if:

• It becomes harmful to your health and wellness.
• There are breakdowns in communication.
• Your partner doesn’t get help or manage their condition.

What do you do when a bipolar person ignores you?

When a bipolar person ignores you, give them space, express your concern for their well-being, and let them talk when they’re ready to talk.
Being aware of the effects of mood fluctuations is essential to being patient and empathic.

What happens if you ignore a bipolar person?

Ignoring a bipolar person worsens feelings of isolation and distress, causing mood swings and affecting overall wellness of the person.
Clear communication and support are essential in relationships with bipolar people.