The anonymity of cyberspace has created a niche market in relationships. As dating sites continue to appear, and chat rooms fill with the silent hopefuls of finding love in different ways, that anonymity has been and could be an attraction for people with bipolar disorder.

People communicate on the internet in ways either chatting and mail or blogging. They would not ordinarily say or do in the real world because of their psychological disorder. They feel more uninhibited, and express themselves more openly. This gives an open effect or confidence. They separate their actions from their real world identity; they feel less vulnerable. Often, they do not acknowledge their behavior as being in the context of who they really are. In effect, they do not take responsibility for their actions. In psychology, this is called dissociation. A process of where people do not associate themselves with their own actions. These internet activities may present themselves as stress release that alleviates boredom rather than an enabling outlet that could make their mental condition worse.


With this seemingly magical quality of anonymity, bipolar individuals are often drawn to the internet. There are limitless amounts of people from which to obtain attention which is a good therapy for their psychological disorder. In a world of internet relationships, there are several signs to watch for when considering bipolar disorder. Individuals who have bipolar mania for instance, have this tendency to brag much about their lifestyle and display an over-inflated self esteem, they are usually those who initiate bigotry and stir aggression in a chat room. These are also individuals who would most likely show interest if not engage in cyber-sex for their reckless pursuit of gratification. On the other hand, there are these individuals who have bipolar depression who would display exaggerations of normal moods for their lack of self esteem. These are individuals who are to most likely open up and share unsolicited suicidal urges to strangers, present themselves in a state of pathos and are in desperate need of attention. Bipolar individuals generally lack interest or pleasure in usual activities and would often deny their condition to specialists or people who know them personally. As a result they create different types of personas on the internet that display a semblance of the normal lifestyle that they wanted to have.

In reality, there is no way to really help these people when we're simply on the other side of the monitor. We are merely dispensable to them because they could always click on another person to chat with. All we could do is give sensible advice when asked and not initiate deviances in normal behavior by acting as enablers. A neutral, more open minded stand would be healthiest if engaged in a conversation with such individuals.

Jiordan Gabriel F. Simon

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