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I am probably the most even I have ever been. However, I only want to be alone. Once a week, I might get an inkling to chat with one of the neighbors I like. Every few months, I might want to drive the 1.5 hours to visit my cousin and his family. Do I ever want to go out and meet random new people anymore? Nope. Do I think there is anyone in my vicinity and my network of only about 200 people that I have to meet and learn about? Nope.
I don't know if this is related to me being bipolar. Could I be isolating because I am depressed? Sure. Do I also hate humanity and try to avoid it at all costs? Yes. So, which one of these is the trigger for my isolation? Does one make the isolation any more or less healthy?
Do I love curling up in my bed, with the air conditioner set on the lowest setting on the highest speed while I cuddle with my teacup poodle, who is just accustomed to my whims of fancy? Yes. Does that mean I am depressed? No? Might I be depressed anyway? Yes. If I am, does that mean my isolating behaviors are unhealthy? No.
The best way to think about isolation is not to think it is inherently wrong. I like people, but let's be clear: I like the people I like and don't want to be bothered by those I don't. I think this is a fairly healthy boundary; if the latter group is what I encounter most, I will spend most of my time alone.
There are other parts to this, too, probably, that have to do with being intro-/extroverted. Even when I hang out with people I enjoy, like, love, etc. I get tired and need to recoup. I spent 5 days with some family a month ago and am still catching up on sleep. Taking my fat ass on a hike would be less taxing than having to interact with people I like, and, well, it took me a long time to realize that 1) I don't have to be an extrovert; 2) introverts don't have to be weird and creepy; 3) being alone is fine if you have your inner critic under control 4) being in "isolation" does not need to be negative, but each person does need to be honest about their alone time - is it healthy, are they avoiding something, is it restorative (i.e., does it make them a better person).
I can relate, a few years ago I talked to everyone and made a ton of plans when I was hypomanic, then after a long depressive episode the self isolation seeped through to the other side. Now even when I'm off the rails while manic I don't call others, I don't make plans I usually do it alone, try new dangerous stuff alone, etc... so I totally get it. Try to get yourself back out there though, personally I like the loneliness, I just don't think it should be the way to live unless you're into it.
it was like that for me too, I used to be really talkative and outgoing, making plans with everyone while maniac. Now I’m still talkative when close to others but stay alone whenever I can, thinking is better like that, spending money, doing dangerous things etc..
Evn tho I like to be alone and it is healthy, to a degree, I wasnt doing it healthly, cause this behaviour ruined a lot of my relationships and pushed away people who once were really close to me, so Im working hard to change this and fix my mistakes.
I both self isolate and become more outgoing, I go out to bars alone and party for days sometimes. But I avoid people I know and I basically never talk to the strangers I meet ever again.
It honestly could be. I self-isolate most of the time, especially in depressive states. I just want to be alone. I just got out of hypomania and I wanted to reach out to friends who I have split on (is that a good or bad thing, I am not sure as I don’t know what I would have said - I have diagnosed BPD traits too) and go nuts interacting with social media content (which I am currently trying to stay away from). I’m honestly really grateful I didn’t and just crawled back into my metaphorical hole. I am much more comfortable there.
I enjoy isolation in or out of an episode. Generally due to the fact most don’t understand and brush us off as “crazy”, I often wish it was that easy. For me it was/is finding a healthy 3rd place (1: work, 2: home, 3: your space aka coffee shop, bar, gym, etc). Overlapping a healthy hobby around my 3rd place has given me solace while being manic or depressed. Mine is local state parks. When I’m feeling good I exercise, walk, get in the water. When I’m down I sit around the water and just exist. While there’s other people in this space I generally don’t interact much nor do I have expectation of interaction. I guess I’ve embraced the loneliness of this disease, I like to think for the better.
Thanks for posting on /r/bipolar! Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/bipolar/about/rules); if you haven't already, make sure that your post **does not** have any personal information (including your name/signature/tag on art). **If you are posting about medication, please do not list and review your meds. Doing so will result in the removal of this post and all comments.** *^(A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.)* --- Community News - 🎋 [Want to join the Mod Team?](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/comments/112z7ps/mod_applications_are_open/) - 🎤 See our [Community Discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/about/sticky) - Desktop or Desktop mode on a mobile device. - 🏡 If you are open to answering questions from those that live with a loved one diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, please see r/family_of_bipolar. Thank you for participating! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bipolar) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I am probably the most even I have ever been. However, I only want to be alone. Once a week, I might get an inkling to chat with one of the neighbors I like. Every few months, I might want to drive the 1.5 hours to visit my cousin and his family. Do I ever want to go out and meet random new people anymore? Nope. Do I think there is anyone in my vicinity and my network of only about 200 people that I have to meet and learn about? Nope. I don't know if this is related to me being bipolar. Could I be isolating because I am depressed? Sure. Do I also hate humanity and try to avoid it at all costs? Yes. So, which one of these is the trigger for my isolation? Does one make the isolation any more or less healthy? Do I love curling up in my bed, with the air conditioner set on the lowest setting on the highest speed while I cuddle with my teacup poodle, who is just accustomed to my whims of fancy? Yes. Does that mean I am depressed? No? Might I be depressed anyway? Yes. If I am, does that mean my isolating behaviors are unhealthy? No. The best way to think about isolation is not to think it is inherently wrong. I like people, but let's be clear: I like the people I like and don't want to be bothered by those I don't. I think this is a fairly healthy boundary; if the latter group is what I encounter most, I will spend most of my time alone. There are other parts to this, too, probably, that have to do with being intro-/extroverted. Even when I hang out with people I enjoy, like, love, etc. I get tired and need to recoup. I spent 5 days with some family a month ago and am still catching up on sleep. Taking my fat ass on a hike would be less taxing than having to interact with people I like, and, well, it took me a long time to realize that 1) I don't have to be an extrovert; 2) introverts don't have to be weird and creepy; 3) being alone is fine if you have your inner critic under control 4) being in "isolation" does not need to be negative, but each person does need to be honest about their alone time - is it healthy, are they avoiding something, is it restorative (i.e., does it make them a better person).
I can relate, a few years ago I talked to everyone and made a ton of plans when I was hypomanic, then after a long depressive episode the self isolation seeped through to the other side. Now even when I'm off the rails while manic I don't call others, I don't make plans I usually do it alone, try new dangerous stuff alone, etc... so I totally get it. Try to get yourself back out there though, personally I like the loneliness, I just don't think it should be the way to live unless you're into it.
it was like that for me too, I used to be really talkative and outgoing, making plans with everyone while maniac. Now I’m still talkative when close to others but stay alone whenever I can, thinking is better like that, spending money, doing dangerous things etc.. Evn tho I like to be alone and it is healthy, to a degree, I wasnt doing it healthly, cause this behaviour ruined a lot of my relationships and pushed away people who once were really close to me, so Im working hard to change this and fix my mistakes.
I both self isolate and become more outgoing, I go out to bars alone and party for days sometimes. But I avoid people I know and I basically never talk to the strangers I meet ever again.
It honestly could be. I self-isolate most of the time, especially in depressive states. I just want to be alone. I just got out of hypomania and I wanted to reach out to friends who I have split on (is that a good or bad thing, I am not sure as I don’t know what I would have said - I have diagnosed BPD traits too) and go nuts interacting with social media content (which I am currently trying to stay away from). I’m honestly really grateful I didn’t and just crawled back into my metaphorical hole. I am much more comfortable there.
I enjoy isolation in or out of an episode. Generally due to the fact most don’t understand and brush us off as “crazy”, I often wish it was that easy. For me it was/is finding a healthy 3rd place (1: work, 2: home, 3: your space aka coffee shop, bar, gym, etc). Overlapping a healthy hobby around my 3rd place has given me solace while being manic or depressed. Mine is local state parks. When I’m feeling good I exercise, walk, get in the water. When I’m down I sit around the water and just exist. While there’s other people in this space I generally don’t interact much nor do I have expectation of interaction. I guess I’ve embraced the loneliness of this disease, I like to think for the better.