5 Things You Should Never Say To Someone with Bipolar

Bipolar disease affects 5.7 million people in the United States alone. Many people know someone with bipolar disorder. It’s natural to want to help a friend or loved one with bipolar with helpful words, but sometimes, even though you might think you are speaking from the heart, what you say can come across as flip or inconsiderate to the person with bipolar disease.

Below are things you should never say to someone with bipolar disorder:

  1. “Things are so good for you, why are you so depressed?”  This might be one of the very worst things to say to someone with bipolar because if anything, the person knows that they have a good life. They can be grateful for their world and still not have control over their mood swings, which only makes them feel that much worse. 
  2. “You should stop taking things so personally.” When someone is struggling with bipolar, it isn’t just their brain that is affected it’s their entire physical and mental well being. Being less confident in oneself can lead to feelings of inadequacy and even small hits to their self esteem can take a big toll.
  3. “You’ve become lazy, it’s like you don’t have a life.” People with bipolar disorder often feel as though they are struggling to maintain a normal, everyday routine. This is hard enough without putting undue stress on them by calling them lazy. Instead, use your words to compliment them on their recovery efforts.
  4. “Aren’t you taking your medication?” For someone with bipolar disorder, recovery is not a light switch. It cannot be quickly turned on and off. Like most illness, there are good days and bad days and managing an everyday routine may be stressful enough. Instead, try offering a statement such as, “I’m here for you, remember, you aren’t alone in this.” 
  5. “You’re acting a little too happy.” Just because someone has a bipolar diagnosis does not mean that they cannot still have the usual range of emotions that everyone else has. Pointing out that a patient with bipolar is “acting too happy” is not allowing them to express themselves as an individual, which they have every right to do regardless of their diagnosis.


If you are searching for more information about bipolar disorder, visit BPHope.com today. They offer their readers probing, engaging, and thoughtfully written articles about bipolar disease and how it affects people’s relationships and other aspects of daily living.

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