I don't know if this is true but the OT who evaluated me for vocational rehab said it was unusual for someone with bipolar to make eye contact. It's just one of the symptoms. I get very frustrated now because I spent grad school working on it while my classmates encouraged me and I got good at it. Then when my life fell apart 4 years ago that was an ability I lost and never regained. I make myself make eye contact with my therapist for at least a few minutes but that's all I can do. I hate it so I'm sorry you have this problem. I don't know why it's part of bipolar but that's what the OT said.