Can bipolar disorder affect social connections at 57?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am 57 years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar depression. One of the hardest things that I have had to face is the maintenance of my friendships. Whenever I get into depression, I start withdrawing from everybody and later on feel guilty about it. It eventually ends up being very lonely when nobody calls me anymore.
Do people with bipolar disorder make any deep friendships?
Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I am really sorry you are having to deal with this. What you are going through is actually very common among individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, especially during times of depression, when pulling away from others becomes almost uncontrollable.
And I want to assure you that although it may be difficult to keep up with social contacts at times when you are depressed, those with bipolar disorder do have the capability of making close and intimate friends. I think that the issue is not so much making close relationships but keeping up with them during depression or times of change in mood.
Many of our friends are more tolerant than we might think, especially if they know that pulling away from others is simply because of the illness and not how much we care about them. Sometimes it helps to send an email or note to let them know what is going on with us.
In addition to being consistent with your therapy and treatment, focusing on social connections in smaller and manageable ways can help.
I hope this helps.
Take care.
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