It can be difficult to know what to say – or not say – to someone with bipolar disorder. This is because the condition can vary greatly from person to person, and what may be helpful for one person may not be helpful for another.
There are some general things, however, that you should avoid saying to someone with bipolar disorder. These include making assumptions about their condition, telling them how they should feel, or suggesting that their symptoms are not real.
Making assumptions about bipolar disorder is one of the most common – and harmful – things that people do. For example, you might assume that someone with bipolar disorder is always moody or unpredictable. Or you might think that they must be taking medication all the time in order to manage their condition.
These assumptions can be hurtful and make it harder for the person with bipolar disorder to feel understood and supported. It’s important to remember that every individual experiences the condition differently, so it’s best not to make any assumptions at all.
Another thing to avoid saying is anything that suggests the person’s symptoms are not real or valid. For example, you might say something like “You’re just feeling this way because it’s wintertime.
Everyone has something
If you know someone who is dealing with bipolar disorder, there are certain things you should avoid saying to them. Here are 10 things you should never say to someone with bipolar disorder:
1. “You’re just making excuses.”
Bipolar disorder is a real mental illness that requires treatment. It’s not something that people can just “snap out of” or control on their own. Suggesting that someone with bipolar disorder is just making excuses is invalidating and hurtful.
2. “It’s all in your head.” .
You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings. These mood swings can be very disruptive to a person’s life and can cause them a great deal of distress. While it is important to be supportive of someone who has bipolar disorder, there are some things that you should avoid saying to them.
Saying things like “you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors” or “you’re just making excuses” can be very hurtful and dismissive. It’s important to remember that bipolar disorder is a real illness with real symptoms. Just because someone looks happy on the outside doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling on the inside.
If you want to be supportive of someone with bipolar disorder, try to avoid saying things that invalidate their experiences or make them feel like they are overreacting. Instead, focus on listening and showing understanding and empathy.
You always look for an excuse
You always look for an excuse to be unhappy. You’re never happy with what you have, and you’re always looking for something better. This attitude creates a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction that can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
How are you managing? (And other loaded questions)
“How are you managing?”
It’s a loaded question, isn’t it? And one that people with bipolar disorder are often asked by well-meaning friends and family members. The subtext of the question is usually something along the lines of “are you still holding it together?” or “are you still doing OK?”
The answer to that question is, of course, complicated. Because bipolar disorder is a complex illness with ups and downs that can be difficult to predict or control. So when someone asks how we’re managing, what they’re really asking is whether we’re currently in a good place or a bad place. And the truth is, it’s often hard to say.
Because even on our best days, there’s always the chance that things could take a turn for the worse. That’s just the nature of this illness. So when someone asks how we’re managing, what they need to understand is that it’s not an easy question to answer. And even if we are doing OK today, tomorrow might be another story entirely.
Be nice
If you know someone with bipolar disorder, it’s important to be supportive and understanding. There are some things you should avoid saying, however, as they can be hurtful or insensitive. Here are a few things to avoid saying to someone with bipolar disorder:
1. “You’re just moody.”
Bipolar disorder is more than just moodiness. It’s a serious mental illness that can cause drastic swings in mood, energy levels, and behavior. Saying that someone with bipolar disorder is simply “moody” downplays the seriousness of the condition and can be insulting.
2. “You’re overreacting.”
When someone is in the midst of a manic or depressive episode, their reactions may seem exaggerated to an outsider. But for them, their feelings are very real and very intense. Telling them they’re overreacting invalidates their experience and can make them feel even worse about themselves.
3. “Just snap out of it.” .
Calm down
Calm down. This phrase is often used in an attempt to de-escalate a situation, but it can unintentionally have the opposite effect when said to someone with bipolar disorder. When you tell someone with bipolar disorder to calm down, you are essentially telling them to suppress their emotions, which can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment. It is important to remember that people with bipolar disorder are not always in control of their emotions, so telling them to calm down is not likely to be effective. If you’re concerned about someone with bipolar disorder who seems to be becoming agitated or manic, it’s important to talk with them in a supportive and understanding way. Trying to force them to calm down is likely only going make the situation worse.
I’m not very happy with you right now
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by mood swings. These mood swings can be very severe, and they can make it difficult for people with bipolar disorder to function in their everyday lives. If you are close to someone with bipolar disorder, it is important to be supportive and understanding. However, there are some things that you should not say to someone with bipolar disorder.
For example, telling someone with bipolar disorder that they are “crazy” or “mental” is extremely hurtful and insensitive. This type of language only serves to further stigmatize mental illness and make it harder for those who suffer from it to seek help and treatment. Additionally, telling someone with bipolar disorder to “just snap out of it” or saying that their condition is “all in their head” is also very hurtful. These statements imply that the person suffering from bipolar disorder could just choose to feel better if they really wanted to, which is simply not the case.
If you care about someone with bipolar disorder, the best thing you can do is educate yourself about the condition so that you can be more understanding and supportive. There are many resources available online or through your local library that can help you learn more about this mental illness. Additionally, try to be patient and understanding when your loved one is experiencing a particularly difficult episode; remember that they can not control their mood swings and need your support during these times.
Why can’t you just be happy?
Living with bipolar disorder
It’s not that simple. When you have bipolar disorder, your mood can change dramatically and unexpectedly. You may feel incredibly happy one minute and then suddenly feel very depressed the next. These mood swings can make it difficult to function and enjoy life. Sometimes, people with bipolar disorder may even experience psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations. It’s important to understand that these symptoms are not simply a result of “being happy” or “being sad.” They are a result of an underlying mental illness that needs to be treated. If you live with bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. With treatment, you can manage your symptoms and live a healthy, fulfilling life.