Bipolar Disorder And Self Hate

Self hate and feelings of worthlessness and low self esteem often go hand in hand with bipolar disorder. They can often be symptoms of the depressive side of the disorder. Even the manic side of the disorder can produce self loathing behaviors in a person with bipolar disorder.

Some of this comes from the depression and instability that comes with bipolar disorder, especially when its untreated or not managed very well. Other causes come from the stigma associated with the disorder. People with bipolar disorder do not like the way bipolar disorder makes them feel. The constant ups and downs make them feel insecure. They often feel out of control of their emotions and this makes one feel bad about themselves.

A person with bipolar disorder may display many self harming behaviors, like cutting, self mutilation, purging and suicide attempts. Cutting oneself or other ways of harming oneself often gives the out of control person a sense of control while they do it. They also do it as a way of punishing themselves for feelings so worthless as a result of the self hatred they feel. These behaviors do not necessarily mean the person is suicidal and wants to die but rather is acting out on the feelings of self hatred.

Even when it is hard to imagine how one could hate themselves so badly they would want to punish themselves over and over again by harming themselves, it’s important to realize this is part of the disorder and a sign that they need help. The behaviors may get bad enough that they will unintentionally take their own life. When treating a person with bipolar disorder, it is very important to understand the loss of control they feel and the way they hate that feeling because often it is that feeling that leads to them hating themselves.