Things for Family Amd Friends to Know About Bipolar

bipolar disorder

Helping Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Dealing with a loved one's bipolar disorder isn't easy. This guide will assistance you navigate the challenges and back up your friend or family member.

How can you assistance someone with bipolar disorder?

Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult—and non just for the person with the disease. The moods and behaviors of a person with bipolar disorder bear upon everyone around—peculiarly family unit members and close friends. Information technology can put a strain on your relationship and disrupt all aspects of family unit life.

During a manic episode, you may have to cope with reckless antics, outrageous demands, explosive outbursts, and irresponsible decisions. And once the whirlwind of mania has passed, it often falls on y'all to deal with the consequences. During episodes of low, you may have to pick upwardly the slack for a loved one who doesn't have the energy to run across responsibilities at home or work.

The good news is that most people with bipolar disorder tin can stabilize their moods with proper handling, medication, and support. Your patience, love, and understanding tin can play a significant part in your loved one'southward treatment and recovery. Frequently, just having someone to talk to can make all the difference to their outlook and motivation.

Only caring for a person with bipolar disorder can also take a toll if yous neglect your own needs, so information technology'due south important to find a residuum between supporting your loved one and taking care of yourself.

Other means to assist someone with bipolar disorder

You can also support your loved i by:

Learning about bipolar disorder. Learn everything you lot can about the symptoms and handling options. The more you know about bipolar disorder, the meliorate equipped you'll be to help your loved 1 and continue things in perspective.

Encouraging the person to go assist. The sooner bipolar disorder is treated, the better the prognosis, so urge your loved one to seek professional help correct away. Don't await to run into if they will get amend without treatment.

Being understanding. Let your friend or family member know that you're there if they demand a sympathetic ear, encouragement, or assist with handling. People with bipolar disorder are often reluctant to seek help because they don't want to feel like a burden to others, so remind the person that yous care and that y'all'll do any you tin can to help.

Showing patience. Getting better takes time, fifty-fifty when a person is committed to handling. Don't expect a quick recovery or a permanent cure. Be patient with the stride of recovery and prepare for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process.

The importance of back up in bipolar disorder recovery

People with bipolar disorder do meliorate when they have support from family unit members and friends. They tend to recover more quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and take milder symptoms.

Bipolar disorder and the family

Living with a person who has bipolar disorder tin can cause stress and tension in the home. On top of the challenge of dealing with your loved one's symptoms and their consequences, family members oftentimes struggle with feelings of guilt, fear, anger, and helplessness. Ultimately, the strain can crusade serious relationship bug. Only there are better ways to cope.

The first step to successfully dealing with bipolar disorder is for families to learn to accept the affliction and its difficulties. When you're feeling frustrated or guilty, remember that bipolar disorder isn't anyone's mistake. Accepting bipolar disorder involves acknowledging that things may never again be "normal."

Treatment can brand a huge deviation for your loved i, only it may not take intendance of all symptoms or impairments. To avoid disappointment and resentments, it'due south of import to have realistic expectations. Expecting besides much of your family fellow member can be a recipe for failure. On the other hand, expecting as well little can too hinder their recovery, and so effort to discover a remainder betwixt encouraging independence and providing support.

Tips for coping with bipolar disorder in the family

Have your loved i's limits. Your loved i with bipolar disorder tin can't control their moods. They can't just snap out of a depression or get a hold of themselves during a manic episode. Neither low nor mania can exist overcome through self-control, willpower, or reasoning. Then telling your loved one to "Stop acting crazy" or to "Look on the bright side" won't help.

Accept your own limits. You can't rescue your loved i with bipolar disorder, nor tin can you force them to accept responsibility for getting better. You tin can offer support, simply ultimately, recovery is in the hands of the person with the disease.

Reduce stress. Stress makes bipolar disorder worse, so try to find ways to reduce stress in your loved one'south life. Inquire how you can help and volunteer to take over some of the person's responsibilities if needed. Establishing and enforcing a daily routine—with regular times for getting up, having meals, and going to bed—can also reduce family stress.

Communicate openly. Open and honest communication is essential to coping with bipolar disorder in the family. Share your concerns in a loving way, ask your loved one how they're feeling, and make an try to truly listen—even if you lot disagree with your loved one or don't chronicle to what's being said.

Supporting a person with bipolar disorder

What you can say that helps:

• "You're not solitary in this. I'm here for y'all."
• "I empathize that it's your illness that causes these thoughts and feelings."
• "Yous may non believe it now, simply the way you're feeling tin and will change."
• "I may non be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help and back up you."
• "You are of import to me. Your life is important to me."

Convincing a person with bipolar disorder to see a doctor

Aside from offering emotional support, the best style to help your loved 1 with bipolar disorder is by encouraging and supporting treatment. Ofttimes, that can be more of a challenge than it sounds. Since people with bipolar disorder tend to lack insight into their condition, it'due south not always like shooting fish in a barrel to get them to a doctor. When your loved one is manic, they feel great and don't realize in that location's a problem. When your loved 1 is depressed, they may recognize something's wrong, but frequently lack the free energy to seek assistance.

If your loved one won't admit the possibility of bipolar disorder, don't argue well-nigh it. The idea may exist frightening to them, then be sensitive. Advise a routine medical checkup instead, or a doc's visit for a specific symptom, such equally insomnia, irritability, or fatigue—then privately call ahead to tell the doctor of your concerns well-nigh bipolar disorder.

Things you can say that might assistance:

• "Bipolar disorder is a real illness, like diabetes. Information technology requires medical treatment."
• "You're not to blame for bipolar disorder. You didn't cause information technology. It's not your fault."
• "You can feel improve. There are many treatments that tin can assist."
• "When bipolar disorder isn't treated, it unremarkably gets worse."

Supporting a loved 1 during bipolar disorder treatment

In one case your friend or family member agrees to see a doctor, you can help past being a partner in treatment. Your support tin can brand a large divergence in their treatment success, so offering to exist involved in whatever way your loved i wants or needs.

Things you can practise to support a loved ane's bipolar disorder handling:

• Find qualified doctors and therapists.
• Set upwardly appointments and continue.
• Offer your insights to the doctor.
• Monitor your loved one'southward moods.

• Learn about their medications.
• Rail handling progress.
• Lookout man for signs of relapse.
• Alarm the doctor to issues.

Encourage your loved one to take bipolar disorder medication

Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, and about people need information technology to regulate their moods and avoid relapse. Despite the need for medication, many people with bipolar disorder stop taking it. Some quit because they're feeling better, others because of side effects, and still others because they enjoy the symptoms of mania. People who don't think they have a problem are particularly probable to end taking medication.

You tin can assist your loved one stay on rail by emphasizing the importance of medication and making sure they take all prescriptions as directed. Too encourage your loved one to speak to their doctor about any bothersome side furnishings.

Side effects tin can be very unpleasant if the dose of the medication is as well low or as well high, but a change in medication or dosage may solve the problem. Remind your loved one that abruptly stopping medication is unsafe.

Watch for alarm signs of bipolar disorder relapse

Even if your loved one with bipolar disorder is committed to treatment, there may exist times when their symptoms get worse. Take action right abroad if you find any troubling symptoms or mood changes. Indicate out the emerging bipolar symptoms to your loved one and alert the dr.. With swift intervention, yous may be able to prevent an episode of mania or depression from developing fully.

Mania warning signs and symptoms:

• Sleeping less
• Elevated mood
• Restlessness

• Speaking rapidly
• Increase in activity level
• Irritability or aggression

Low alarm signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Sleeping more
• Trouble concentrating

• Loss of interest in activities
• Withdrawing from others
• Alter in appetite

Coping with mania and depression: Tips for family and friends

If information technology'south non possible to prevent your loved i relapsing, in that location are things you can practice to cope during a manic or depressive episode.

Don't take bipolar symptoms personally. When in the midst of a bipolar episode, people often say or do things that are hurtful or embarrassing. When manic, your loved one may be reckless, cruel, critical, and aggressive. When depressed, they may be rejecting, irritable, hostile, and moody. It's difficult not to have such behaviors personally, merely attempt to remember that they're symptoms of your loved one'southward mental disease, not the result of selfishness or immaturity.

Exist prepared for destructive behaviors. When manic or depressed, people with bipolar disorder may behave in destructive or irresponsible ways. Planning ahead for how to handle such behavior can assistance. When your loved one is well, negotiate a treatment contract that gives you accelerate approving for protecting them when symptoms flare upwards. Agree on specific steps y'all'll have, such every bit removing credit cards or car keys, going together to the medico, or taking charge of household finances.

Know what to practise in a crisis. It's of import to plan alee for times of crisis so you can act quickly and effectively when it occurs. Having a crisis plan can help. Make sure to include a list of emergency contact information for doctors, therapists, and other friends or family unit members who volition assistance. Also include the address and telephone number of the infirmary where you lot'll take your loved one if necessary.

Call 911 (or your state's emergency services number) in an emergency. If your loved one with bipolar disorder is suicidal or violent, don't try to handle the situation alone. If you lot're worried that your loved one may hurt you, go to safety then phone call the police force. If your loved one is suicidal, don't leave them lone. Phone call for an ambulance and stay with your loved one until it arrives.

Supporting someone who is manic

• Spend time with your loved ane. People who are manic ofttimes feel isolated from other people. Spending even short periods of time with them helps. If your loved one has a lot of energy, walk together. This allows your loved one to proceed on the move just still share your company.
• Answer questions honestly. However, do not fence or contend with someone during a manic episode. Effort to avoid intense chat.
• Don't take any comments personally. During manic episodes, your loved one may say or exercise things that are out of character, including focusing on negative aspects of others. Try to avoid arguments.
• Gear up easy-to-consume meals and drinks. It's oftentimes difficult for someone who is manic to sit down to a meal, so try offering them sandwiches, apples, cheese crackers, and juices, for example.
• Avert subjecting your loved i to a lot of activity and stimulation. It's meliorate to go on surroundings equally quiet as possible.
• Allow your loved ane to sleep whenever possible. During periods of high energy, sleeping is difficult merely short naps taken throughout the day can assistance. Sometimes a person who is manic may feel rested after only a few hours of slumber.

Taking intendance of yourself when a loved one has bipolar disorder

It'due south easy to fail your own needs when y'all're supporting someone with a mental illness. But if y'all don't take care of yourself, y'all run the take chances of burnout—and that won't assist you or your loved 1. When you take care of yourself both emotionally and physically, y'all'll be able to better cope with the stress of caring for someone with bipolar disorder and accept the energy you lot need to support your loved ane'south recovery.

Focus on your own life. Supporting your loved 1 may involve some life adjustments, but make sure you don't lose sight of your ain goals and priorities. Don't surrender friendships, plans, or activities that bring y'all joy.

Seek support. Dealing with a loved 1's mental illness tin can be painful and isolating. Make sure yous're getting the emotional support yous demand to cope. Talk to someone you trust about what yous're going through. It can besides aid to get your own therapy or join a support grouping.

Set boundaries. Be realistic nigh the amount of intendance you're able to provide without feeling overwhelmed and resentful. Set up limits on what you're willing and able to do, and stick to them. Letting bipolar disorder take over your life isn't good for you for you or your loved ane.

Manage stress. Stress takes a toll on the trunk and mind, so observe means to keep information technology in check. Brand sure you're eating right and getting plenty slumber and exercise. You can also proceed stress under command by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation.

Ask for aid. If your friend or family member needs more than assistance than you can give, ask for help from others. Plough to other relatives or close friends, or contact a bipolar disorder back up organisation.

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Source: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/helping-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm

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