Getting Along with Your Bipolar Loved One Hi, I’m John McManamy and I live with Bipolar Disorder. I have been on both side of the equation. I have been on both side to the equation as a patient and as a loved one. I'm both an author and an advocate. I'm here today to share with you what have I learned about getting along with your bipolar loved one. This includes both family and that special person in your life. Let's get started. First, let me tell you I fully appreciate how we make your lives hell that you have every right to walk out on us. I also want to let you know that you should not have to tolerate abuse of any sort. But you are probably this because you love the person you are with, and you want to salvage the relationship. This means you will have to make accommodations at the same time, you are entitled to lay down rules and set boundaries. To start; it is beneficial to acknowledge that you have falling in love with the fun, brilliant, sparkling individual. These positive traits are amplified bipolar as our negative traits. So, start off by acknowledging what is good about your special person or family member. Then, work in figuring out what gets your loved one upset. These are known as triggers. It maybe something as stupid and trivial as the wrong flavor of ice cream, perhaps you can reason with your loved one but you may find that it easier to change the ice cream. Anticipate what can go wrong and have agreements in place for you would assume executive control. This might mean canceling credit cards or confiscating car keys. There will be much less drama if you have talked these issues through much earlier. Have emergency plans in place. When your loved one is in crisis, you need to know what to do and what your loved one has consented to you doing. Take care of yourself. You’re no good to the person you were trying to help otherwise. Finally, many, many thanks for your enlightenment and your attitude and understanding. We with Bipolar like to think we make the world a better place for others, and we try to bring that into our relationships. But you are the ones making a better place for us. There are no easy answers to living with someone with Bipolar disorder. I strongly recommend you do your research, establish a good working relationship with your loved one’s doctor and therapist. Reach out to the people around you. Find support. And become your own expert advocate. This is John McManamy. For information visit Google and typed in living with a bipolar partner.