Bipolar and Self Destruction

If a person with bipolar disorder is not diagnosed and treated, they can become their own worst enemy. They have fluctuations in their emotional and mental state of mind from serious mania (feelings of grandeur when they lose touch with reality and feel they are invincible and can do anything) to deep depression, where they do not have any concept of reality due to lack of emotionally feeling anything.

The manic episode is when the self-destruction occurs, the bipolar is not able to focus, and their common sense goes out the window. They take huge risks that might endanger themselves and the people around them with their delusions of being invincible. They may spend huge amounts of money, break the laws, go on sexual binges or start fights. They are totally at the mercy of their emotional and mental high and throw caution to the wind. It is hard to keep a long-term relationship due to their extreme mood swings and erratic behavior. It frightens them when they are unable to feel a bond between themselves and their children, even though they want to be a good parent, and may overcompensate by spending money they do not have on things for their child, or, they develop a self-hatred for their lack of feeling.

Often family members begin to ignore the bipolar mood swings, but this is when they need understanding and help the most. It helps if a family member will keep a daily journal of their behavior and urge them to get help. The journal will help the psychiatrist and doctors better understand and assist them with their diagnosis. These self-destructive episodes should not be ignored, they need to be addressed so the bipolar can learn to live a more normal life.