Coping When a Person with Bipolar Disorder Ignores You

Understanding Why a Person with Bipolar Disorder May Ignore You

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by intense shifts in mood and energy levels. The disorder consists of two main phases - manic highs and depressive lows. When experiencing either phase, a person with bipolar disorder may act in confusing, erratic or hurtful ways towards loved ones.

Being ignored by someone with this illness can be very painful. But there are reasons this may happen that have nothing to do with you. Learning about the disorder helps make sense of ignored feelings and determine the best ways to respond.

Manic Behavior Patterns

During manic or hypomanic episodes, a person with bipolar often feels highly energetic, ambitious, impulsive and not in need of sleep. They may:

• Take on too many tasks and commitments
• Make plans that are unrealistic or financially risky
• Engage in reckless activities like substance abuse or sexual indiscretion
• Exhibit anger, hostility and arrogant behavior

When manic, focusing attention becomes very difficult. A bipolar person easily gets distracted by new ideas, interests and people. Existing relationships fade into the background even if no harm is intended.

Depressive Behavior Patterns

In contrast, the low phase of bipolar disorder leaves the person feeling extremely sad, hopeless, inadequate and slow. Typical depressive symptoms include:

• Loss of pleasure and interest in normal activities
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Fatigue, sleep issues and loss of motivation
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts

When depressed, it takes great effort just to function day-to-day. A bipolar person often lacks energy to maintain contacts or respond to others. Prior relationships slip down the priority list without any intent to hurt others.

Why a Person with Bipolar Might Ignore You

There are several reasons why a person with this disorder may ignore messages, calls or attempts to spend time together including:

• Manic hyperactivity and distraction by new ideas or people
• Depressive lack of motivation, fatigue and isolation tendencies
• Mixed mood episodes with highly unstable emotions
• Side effects of medications like lethargy or confusion
• Avoiding mood triggers related to certain relationships

In most cases, being ignored reflects the bipolar condition rather than anything to do with you personally. Understanding this can help reduce hurt and confusion when communication lapses occur.

Tips to Cope with Being Ignored

When someone you care about who has bipolar stops regular contact or response, try these self-care strategies:

• Give them space and time to regroup
• Communicate you are there when they are ready
• Focus on your own goals and sources of fulfillment
• Discuss your feelings with other trusted friends
• Remind yourself it's the disorder, not you
• Seek professional counseling if needed to reduce resentment

Reconnecting After a Phase of Being Ignored

After an episode, a person with bipolar disorder often returns to more normal functioning and realizes relationships have been neglected. You may receive a text, call or request to talk out of the blue.

Or you may need to initiate contact if communication gaps have gone on too long. When trying to reconnect after a phase of ignored contact, keep some guidelines in mind:

• Have the chat in a calm, positive environment
• Open with an expression of care and concern
• Share how the lag in contact impacted you
• Listen without judgment to their experiences
• Discuss ways to prevent future lapses
• Agree to move forward and let go of past hurts

Creating a Stable Support System

Having a strong support team is key for someone with bipolar disorder. As a caring friend or partner, you can help by:

• Educating yourself on the disorder
• Adapting expectations during highs and lows
• Providing accountability for treatment plans
• Offering low-key social contact
• Recommending counseling or a support group
• Not taking mood swings and communication gaps personally

Creating stability, consistency and understanding makes a huge difference in the life of a person with this condition. With reliable supports, negative behavior patterns have a better chance to be managed long-term.

When to Seek Professional Help

While bipolar disorder is a lifelong challenge, the right treatment makes healthy relationships possible. However, if the person ignoring you exhibits any of the following, seeking medical care becomes critical:

• Talking about suicide or feeling life is hopeless
• Seeing things that don't exist or losing touch with reality
• Withdrawing from all social contact for extended time
• Neglecting personal health and safety for multiple days
• Engaging in violence, recklessness or uncontrolled outbursts

Rather than insisting they pay attention to you or your relationship, redirection toward a mental health evaluation is needed in these scenarios. In crisis mode, medical and psychiatric care tackle safety first while social and emotional reconnections can wait.

The Takeaway

Coping when a bipolar person ignores you often means grieving the friendship or relationship you wish you had. Learning about the profound impacts of manic and depressive states helps you understand why stable attention and communication gets disrupted.

Rather than take being ignored personally, establishing compassion and patience for this highly unpredictable disorder positions you to rebuild connections during calmer times. And reaching out for professional support facilitates treatment so ignoring patterns diminish and healthy relating grows.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.