To support someone else you must be healthy. Take time for your needs and healthy activities, take breaks and indulge in positive events away from the stress of home and work. Making Fun of or Joke — when you are frustrated or irritated it may be tempting to make fun of a mood or behavior or even lighten the mood with a joke but these things can provoke an adverse reaction if your loved one is currently experiencing depression or mania.
Pay attention to when your loved one welcomes humor and when humor makes a situation worse. If your loved one has made it clear that a particular moment is not a good time to talk, respect this boundary and find another time to connect. Be gentle and ease into difficult conversations. Too Many Check-Ins or Monitoring — although you may be feeling nervous for the wellbeing of your loved one, too many check-ins or close monitoring can annoy them or incite a stressful mood.
Give them the space they need to self-soothe and be there when they need you. It can be helpful to set up an advanced directive when your loved one is doing well, so that in times of distress you know what kind of supports they find helpful. Passing Blame — it can be difficult to separate the disorder from the person but often they are not acting out of choice. Try to be understanding and have compassion rather than being angry and blaming.
While you may think you know what it is best for your loved one, offering choices or asking an open-ended question can set the stage for deeper conversations.
Look ing For a Cure — There is no cure for bipolar disorder, only proven treatments and strategies to manage it. Venting About Your Stress — people with bipolar disorder may be more attuned to the stress levels of others and, sensing your stress, their own stress levels may be heightened.
This submission box is not monitored. If you need immediate assistance, call or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. First Name Email What is your question? Stay in touch with DBSA Learn about our upcoming programs, services, and ways you can become involved. Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on social media. Getting better takes time, even when a person is committed to treatment.
Be patient with the pace of recovery and prepare for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process. People with bipolar disorder do better when they have support from family members and friends. They tend to recover more quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and have milder symptoms. Living with a person who has bipolar disorder can cause stress and tension in the home. Ultimately, the strain can cause serious relationship problems.
But there are better ways to cope. The first step to successfully dealing with bipolar disorder is for families to learn to accept the illness and its difficulties. Treatment can make a huge difference for your loved one, but it may not take care of all symptoms or impairments.
Expecting too much of your family member can be a recipe for failure. On the other hand, expecting too little can also hinder their recovery, so try to find a balance between encouraging independence and providing support. Neither depression nor mania can be overcome through self-control, willpower, or reasoning. Accept your own limits. You can offer support, but ultimately, recovery is in the hands of the person with the illness.
Reduce stress. 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. Aside from offering emotional support, the best way to help your loved one with bipolar disorder is by encouraging and supporting treatment.
Often, that can be more of a challenge than it sounds. The idea may be frightening to them, so be sensitive. Once your friend or family member agrees to see a doctor, you can help by being a partner in treatment.
Your support can make a big difference in their treatment success, so offer to be involved in any way your loved one wants or needs. Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, and most people need it to regulate their moods and avoid relapse.
Despite the need for medication, many people with bipolar disorder stop taking it. You can help your loved one stay on track by emphasizing the importance of medication and making sure they take all prescriptions as directed. Also encourage your loved one to speak to their doctor about any bothersome side effects. Side effects can be very unpleasant if the dose of the medication is too low or too high, but a change in medication or dosage may solve the problem.
Remind your loved one that abruptly stopping medication is dangerous. Main page content Date: April, 26, Category: Serious Mental Illness. By: Anita Everett, M. Below is a list of things to keep in mind if you are a friend or family member of someone living with Bipolar Disorder: Individuals and families can learn about bipolar disorder from trusted reliable sources.
Support participation in treatment. When a person is depressed or manic, they may not act like their normal selves and may need extra patience and attention. Work with your loved one to create a plan that supports them when things are not going well. Try to listen without judgment and facilitate participation in treatment.
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