[Catgotmytongue]

Hi everyone!

I'm in a bit of a stressful situation. I recently met someone who has unmedicated bipolar. I've known him for about 2 weeks so not long at all. I find him to be a bit too much for me to be around given I have psychosis myself and he's very high energy. I wanted to ask people who have bipolar what you would suggest in this situation, from your perspective. Would you personally want someone to be honest with you that the reason why you dont think you can be friends is due to being psychotic, or would you rather them not give a reason?
I personally feel quite bad being in this situation because of my own issues and not wanting to be judgemental. I don't mean he seems sad or anything, more he actually seems delusional and saying things that aren't real, which feels too much for me to take on board unfortunately.

[MuddyBoots]

Personally, if I'm super manic and someone brings up that I need help I'd probably start screaming either "No I don't!" or "Obviously, now what are you gonna do about it?!" depending on the type of mania. If someone says a delusion isn't real, I might say "okay, whatever," but I'll keep on believing it, but just not bring it up to this person (or anyone else) again.

You can gently say you're concerned, but you have to be prepared to not engage in any sort of fighting (it takes two to tango after all).

[otroo]

I tend to absorb people's vibes if they are manic I start to feel manic. I actually avoid hanging with them.

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[*Beth*]

Hi Cat, so you're saying you have psychosis and the person you've met has untreated bipolar disorder? If that's the case I would be honest about it. "I have psychosis and it's difficult for me to be around someone who triggers the psychosis I'm already struggling with." Something like that.

I've been in the situation twice. One, my husband who has untreated mental illness and the other was a man I lived with for many years who had untreated bipolar 1. Ultimately, both relationships made my own mental illness much worse, even though I have always been in treatment.

[MuddyBoots]

Sorry I think I misunderstood your question. If being around this person makes your psychosis worse, you need to do what's best for you. If they're untreated, maybe suggest treatment in a personal way.

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

Sorry I think I misunderstood your question. If being around this person makes your psychosis worse, you need to do what's best for you. If they're untreated, maybe suggest treatment in a personal way.

I feel you understood my question 😊
This is basically what I was worried about. Because I dont know him well, I'm not certain of how he would react. He may be deeply offended.

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by otroo

I tend to absorb people's vibes if they are manic I start to feel manic. I actually avoid hanging with them.

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Yeah I can definitely understand that. For me, it's more about how to believe what hes saying. Because you cant. When they say theyve been to the future amongst other things, although hes very interesting, it's too uncomfortable for me because of my trust issues etc when it comes to this kind of stuff.

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by *Beth*

Hi Cat, so you're saying you have psychosis and the person you've met has untreated bipolar disorder? If that's the case I would be honest about it. "I have psychosis and it's difficult for me to be around someone who triggers the psychosis I'm already struggling with." Something like that.

I've been in the situation twice. One, my husband who has untreated mental illness and the other was a man I lived with for many years who had untreated bipolar 1. Ultimately, both relationships made my own mental illness much worse, even though I have always been in treatment.

Thank you. Yes that's s hood way to say it. I still havent decided to say anything or not.
And yes, that is correct!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I get what you mean. I felt bad but at the same time I see this situation as potentially making things worse for me.