[Cheyenne_Morton]

Finding good long term friends seems to be really hard with my bipolar. Either I go into a depression and can't be there as much and they eventually fade away, or they just straight up want nothing to do with you when they find out or even just start to act differently.
Anyone else find it hard keeping up friendships being bipolar?

[wildflowerchild25]

I only have two female friends. They are my sisters in law. I lose touch with people very easily. So I feel your frustration.

[Sunflower123]

It's more complicated for sure. I have friends that I keep up with by email and text when I'm not up for going out. I'm an introvert and a loner so I don't need a lot of social contact. I've only told one of my friends about my diagnosis. I agree it is harder to make and maintain friendships (for me anyway).

[Woolly Bugger]

This is a complicated question. I find it harder and harder to find friends as I get older. It's just the way it is, I think, and I believe it is the same whether or not you are BP. It's especially hard if you are married, because you generally have to find friends in pairs. The friends you make in high school and college are the best friends you'll ever make, so it is hard to compare them to the friends you make as an full-fledged adult. But BP can get in the way. I have a half a dozen pretty good friends. None are in the best-friend category. I've told three of them that I'm bipolar, and it was a mistake. It adds absolutely nothing to my friendship for them to know. Sorry for the long response.

[Guiness187055]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I only have two female friends. They are my sisters in law. I lose touch with people very easily. So I feel your frustration.

I am the same way I lose touch with people quickly. Sometimes I wish I had friends but most of the time I could care less.

[99fairies]

I have no friends. My husband is my best friend but outside of him and my 3 kids I have no one.

[Unrigged64072835]

Originally Posted by 99fairies

I have no friends. My husband is my best friend but outside of him and my 3 kids I have no one.

Same here.

[Ripose]

I don't have any friends except my wife. I did have a few about 13 years ago and I never told them about having bipolar but I am rather strange and that scared a few away. I scared the remainder away because I will not tolerate BS and I always call people on it, do that and poof the friendship is over.
Oh well, I do far better alone anyway.

To have a friend, we must be a friend. I'm so overwhelmed I'm not always able to be a friend. My mother, husband and best friend from high school are enough for now. I'd like more but I'd struggle to keep up right now. I do have a few people on PC I consider "friend" also. Having just one true, honest friend is more than many will ever have so I feel beyond grateful for the wonderful people who allow me to be part of their lives. I lost touch with a person I met on PC awhile ago because I had my head up my butt.....I regret it. I want a BP friend who I can discuss BP issues with. My loved ones try their best but cannot fully understand in the same capacity as someone whose lived it themselves.

I truly hope you find a good friend.....it enriches our lives and you deserve it. (((Hugs)))

[Cheyenne_Morton]

Wow I totally understand and am in the same situation. I am at a loss for people to just talk to about BP to someone who really understands.

[laracroft3]

Yes I feel the same way... sometimes I feel it's hard to just even have a conversation with someone without feeling like they are thinking the worst of me. Then if we don't stay in contact I end up feeling like i was right.
Idk I guess it's natural as you get older as previously stated, but it doesn't help to have a mental illness get in the way further.

I haven't had any long term friendships since highschool and I let everyone go that I used to know. I'm a little too experienced here.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Ripose

I don't have any friends except my wife. I did have a few about 13 years ago and I never told them about having bipolar but I am rather strange and that scared a few away. I scared the remainder away because I will not tolerate BS and I always call people on it, do that and poof the friendship is over.
Oh well, I do far better alone anyway.

This is me except my wife has grown distant and cold.

The hard part is getting someone close enough to tell them without driving them off from BP effects (in my case hypomanic episodes seem to do the most damage) but not so close that they feel like I deepened the friendship pretending to be someone I am not.

I have not been "stabilized" in over 20 years - I am either up or down. This makes it even more difficult. I do the best when only slightly hypomanic or moderately depressed, but even with slight hypomania I am subject to blurting out things that are inappropriate and am often unapologetic about it.

[Woolly Bugger]

I have one set of friends for when I'm manic, and another set for when I'm depressed. Just kidding, of course.

[Faltering]

I don't have any friends. I just don't have the energy to keep up with people consistently. It's hard to explain how I can go from wanting to talk to people to wanting nothing to do with them based on my mood. I also have social anxiety, which prevents me from interacting with others.

[kamid469]

I can't keep friends for very long either. I do have one bf that I've had since 4th grade. She has seen me up and most definetly down. I'm lucky to have her. But she has her own family and wife. I feel like a third wheel.

[Woolly Bugger]

You have to be a good liar if you want to have friends. Unless you find someone who is such a total match for you that you can always tell the truth. Such friendships are rare and not necessarily the best because of the pressure that telling the truth can bring. It can wear you out.