#132: Dating is Not a "Disaster" When You Have Bipolar (If You Get Naked About It)

FROM THIS SHOW:

Five letters, One word: “DATING”.

Specifically, You, loving another person, and the romantic roadblocks of possessing a life disruptor like bipolar. Does this one little word have you sweating with emotions?—and NOT in the swooning heat of personal attraction kind?

There isn’t a single other word that sends shivering into the spines of even the toughest ones out there—not going back to work; not patching things up with friends and family or getting your finances recovered.

Nothing “post-major bipolar episode”—and the walk of shame it brings upon you—can possibly match the intensity of insecurity that comes with putting your reputation on the line and your name in the dating pool with this diagnosis.

But just as in all things “life”, the challenge of Love isn’t impossible to win. If you value the thrill of Knowing and being Known for who are you—story and all.

You don’t want to miss out on today’s super dynamic show!

Listen to the podcast:

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TAKEAWAYS

• Taking inventory of your strengths and owning your missteps in relationships of ALL types will pay off big time in making you attractive “dating material”.

• When it comes to sharing about your diagnosis, and the unavoidable life stories it has produced for you, knowing WHO to open up to is more important than knowing When to do so in the dating process.

• When you allow yourself to enjoy time with others for who THEY are, it changes the energy of your dating from fear to fascination for the person you’re seeking romantically. (This is super hot, by the way!)

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions:

1) When you were growing up or in school, what was your first memory of the fact that people have to “date” each other in some way if they want to be known as “taken” in their relationship status?

2) Did you have any fears or anxiety about dating when you were younger? Share a story with me if so.

3) What’s a dead-giveaway “red flag” for you about a person who is interested in seeing you romantically?

4.) Do you feel like you throw any “red flags” that are out of your control because of having this bipolar illness in your life?

5.) Now that you have this added challenge of mental illness in your life, do you feel compelled to stay single? Or would you be open to pursuing a romantic love interest again?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!