Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of frenzied mood that alternates with episodes of bipolar depression. Your love and support goes a long way in the treatment and recovery of a loved one suffering from Bipolar disorder . You can help by learning about the illness, offering hope and encouragement, keeping track of bipolar symptoms , and being a partner in treatment. But caring for a person with bipolar disorder will take a toll if you neglect your own needs, so it’s important to find a balance between supporting your loved one and taking care of yourself.
Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviours of a person with bipolar disorder symptoms affect everyone around—especially family members and close friends. The good news is that most people with bipolar disorder can stabilise their moods with proper treatment, medication, and support—and you can play a significant role in his or her recovery. Often, just having someone to talk to can make all the difference to your loved one’s outlook and motivation.
- Learn. The first step is to read about bipolar disorder. Get information from reputable web sites. Find out about the symptoms and treatments.
- Listen. Pay attention to what your loved one has to say. Don’t assume that you know what he or she is going through. Don’t treat your loved one’s emotions and feelings as if they are all signs of an illness. Just because someone has bipolar disorder doesn’t mean his or her point of view isn’t valid.
- Ask how you can help. During bad periods, everyday things can be overwhelming to people with bipolar disorder. Reducing stress at home helps. Offering a ride to a doctor’s appointment, or help with laundry or childcare, can mean a lot.
- Be patient. Getting better takes time, even when a person is committed to treatment. Don’t expect a quick recovery or a permanent cure. Be patient with the pace of recovery and prepare for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process.
- Support them during Medication. Medication is the cornerstone on bipolar disorder treatment. Taking a mood stabilizing medication can help minimize the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and keep symptoms under control. Patients are likely to stop the medication during the offset of the symptoms or because they feel numb. One should work to encourage them into continuing the medication and not force them into doing so.
- Express your own concerns. Since your loved one’s behaviour can have a huge effect on you, you have the right to talk about it. However, don’t blame the other person. Don’t list all of his or her mistakes. Instead, focus on how your loved-one’s actions make you feel, and how they affect you. Since this can be a very difficult subject, you might find it easiest to discuss it together with a therapist.
- Take care of yourself. It’s easy to lose sight of your own needs when you’re taking care of someone else. But you have to stay healthy emotionally and physically. If you push yourself too far, you’ll just burn out — and that’s no good for anyone. So take time off regularly. Ask other friends or family members to help out so you can get away. Do things that relax you. Consider seeing a therapist on your own or joining a support group for loved ones of people with bipolar disorder.