- 1). Learn what bipolar is. Before getting serious with someone who has the disorder it's important to understand exactly what you are dealing with. Research mood swings and manic behavior as well as the different treatments and the side effects of such treatments. Talk to your boyfriend openly about the disease and how he is handling life with it. Speak with a therapist if you want to fully understand what the disease is and its effect on your boyfriend's life.
- 2). Pick your battles. Bipolar boyfriends cannot control their emotions at times. Therefore, when a fight escalates, you must know when you have to walk away instead of standing there feeding into the argument. A good motto to live by is, "Don't sweat the small stuff."
- 3). Create a regular sleeping pattern with your partner. Support your boyfriend by going to bed at the same time as him every night, lighting aroma therapy candles for sleep, cutting out caffeine after dinner and creating a mellow down time. These activities will help avoid insomnia, which is a symptom of bipolar disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- 4). Encourage your boyfriend to exercise to subside some symptoms of bipolar disorder. According to Psychology Today, exercise releases hormones that make you feel good. When you encourage an exercise pattern for your boyfriend, even working out with him if you have time, will help him release bad energy through working out.
- 5). Apologize for your boyfriend's behavior to family and friends if he is rude, but confront him at home when you are alone. Don't let the disease become an excuse for bad behavior. For a bipolar person to have a healthy relationship they must work to keep the disease under control. It's not an excuse for bad behavior such as abusing or cheating.
- 6). Give your boyfriend space if he asks for it, but if he is on a low mood swing check up every now and then. Do not smother him because it may become upsetting. Just call once a day or every few hours to talk. Don't bring up his mood swing unless he wants to talk about it.
- 7). Find time to release stress by yourself. Take a walk every day or go out for a weekly drink with friends. Create a support system so you have a place to vent when you're boyfriend's disease becomes too much.
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