The Bipolar Relationship: How to understand, help, and love your partner

by Jon P. Bloch

Bipolar is a condition that affects peoples' relationships with others as much as it affects their own mental state. When one person in a couple is experiencing the extreme highs and lows of a disorder like this one, it's impossible for their partner not to feel the strain too. Reassuring yet realistic, Dr. Bloch, Dr. Golden, and Nancy Rosenfeld explain what's normal, what's not, what might change, and what definitely won't. They provide information and advice on typical troubling relationship topics, such as:


Communication
Trust and loyalty
Family planning
Finances
Sex
Maintaining a sense of self
By understanding the reality of bipolar and what it means for a relationship, couples will relate to each other better today and plan for a successful future together tomorrow.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Health

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Abnoos · Rating 1 out of 5]

All books on this subject disappoint me so bad.
So many " Try- should- should not- avoid - try - try- ..."
What do these authors expect from someone who lives with a bipolar person? To be super human and always remember, try, avoid, be understanding?

[Rachele Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written from a doctor's perspective and touches on things I already knew, but it was a good reminder. The chapters on communication are really helpful. Also, self care is also just as important when you have a caretaker role. I notice when my anxiety and depression makes me misinterpret my partner and I lose perspective. Read the the entire review here.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books like this, and this is the one I'd recommend to others. It covers the same topics as the others, but it's thorough and incredibly easy to read. I skimmed through the entire book pretty quickly, and ended up making copies of sections to keep (since I didn't purchase the book).

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to get a better, general understanding of how bipolar can affect a relationship. It was very helpful with attributing certain behaviors and symptoms. If you're starting with no knowledge or (like me) have a partner who doesn't really talk about it, then this is a great book to get more insight!

However, it would be nice to have had more guidance on how to interact with or respond to your partner during symptomatic moments. Also, most of it is written in relation to extreme episodes and not the "normal" day-to-day experiences.

[Libbie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information and ideas. Not a fix-all, but it did give me things to think about.