Bipolar Disorder and Friendships

Friendships can be difficult to maintain when someone is struggling with bipolar disorder or any mental health condition. For one thing, we tend to isolate ourselves. Then there’s the feelings of shame, embarrassment and fear of judgment that come along when thinking about disclosing your mental illness to friends and loved ones. I’ve experienced losing friends once they knew I had bipolar depression and I know others who have too. (Bipolar as Love Thief - http://ow.ly/TbrG306mBGN )

In this video on bipolar disorder and friendships, I talk with one of my closest friends, Courtney. We were best friends in high school. After my bipolar breakdown, I left for college. Two years later, I entered a mental hospital and was diagnosed with bipolar 2. (My Mental Hospital Experience video -    • My Mental Hospital Experience   ) I had completely abandoned her. How could I face my friend and say, “I’ve been in a psychiatric hospital.”? I kept a low profile for a year and then, out of the blue, reconnected with Courtney. We have been best friends ever since.

Oh! But I didn't come forward about my hospitalization or diagnosis of bipolar until years after we reconnected. I thought I was helping her, and all my friends, by keeping quiet. However, as I have learned after opening this conversation, I was actually hurting them. When I would go through a depressive episode, I would withdraw from Courtney. This made her feel like an inadequate friend and left her questioning our friendship on-and-off for years.

Over the last two years, I have opened up to my friends about my bipolar disorder diagnosis and allowed them to speak freely on the subject. Courtney, just like the majority of society, had a different idea of what a mental health condition, such as bipolar, looked like. After I came forward, Courtney’s perspective on mental health began to change.

Over time, I have learned a lot about friendship. I realized that I did not take the time to acknowledge or explain what had happened to me, prior to and after my bipolar breakdown. This was selfish of me. I was consumed by my own pain and didn’t think of the pain I was causing others.

My friendships, like the one I have with Courtney, have opened my eyes to a different perspective on mental health. Courtney has learned to not let my depressive episodes or hypomania affect her. My friends may not fully understand my mental health condition and I have accepted this. True friends embrace each other's differences and support one another no matter the circumstances.

Has your bipolar disorder caused you to ignore friends or cause difficulty in maintaining relationships. I hope you’ll comment. It’s an important subject to talk about. Hannah
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Hannah posts a new video every Monday morning on the HealthyPlace YouTube Channel. You can help spread awareness and understanding by sharing this video or playlist.

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2 Playlist: http://ow.ly/RR99305UIxg

Isolation and Recovering From Mental Illness: http://ow.ly/hpiL306mCDB