When trying to repair relationships strained by bipolar, it can be important to stress how you are working on ways to avoid these behaviors.

Hi. This is Karl Shallowhorn with the BPHope.com vlog. In this segment I’m going to be following up with the discussion about undoing the damage of relationships while living with Bipolar disorder.

For many people who have had this problem, like I’ve said previously, and of course it comes with a lot of complications due to the illness and oftentimes it is because of the symptoms associated with bipolar can create this issue to begin with.

So, there’s a couple of things I would recommend and you may want to try.

Certainly, these are just suggestions, but first of all, I am recalling a step they use in 12-Step programs around making amends.

And basically, it’s about making amends to people directly, except when to do so would injure them or others.

And the idea behind this is simply to say to the person not only, “I’m sorry,” but also, “I won’t behave the way I did before.”

The thing that makes it difficult living with Bipolar Disorder, of course, is that this is a sometimes unpredictable illness. And due to that we sometimes find ourselves in situations where previously we would have, as we say “control”, however when bipolar rears its ugly head, then things can happen.

So, that’s why always encourage people to use their tools. Use their tools around anger management. Use your tools around medication or getting therapy.

Therapy’s a big one, of course, when it comes to delving into some of those other issues because oftentimes medication just doesn’t do it alone.

But being able to talk to the person, if they are receptive, can be very helpful. Now, we know in some cases the person may not be receptive and that’s when problems occur; when they just aren’t willing to speak to you regardless of how hard you try.

And sometimes that damage is done permanently. We have found that however in a lot of cases, if not many cases, people will be willing to listen if they understand that you’re coming from the right place, and like I said before, that you’re willing to not engage or have that behavior you had before.

It’s a lot of work. It takes a lot of work not to have these things happen like they did before, but with the proper steps you can make it work.

So, think about these things in your own life and if you have any comments or questions please feel free to leave them in the section below.

So, for the BPHope.com vlog, this is Karl Shallowhorn. Be well.

Learn more:
Bipolar & Relationships: Undoing the Damage
4 Physical Signs of an Impending Manic Breakdown

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