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.
Be careful when expressing your stress not to sound accusatory. Make sure you have support people in your life that you can vent with. They might sense your reluctance and believe you are avoiding or ignoring them.
A better solution is to talk openly about your feelings in a non-threatening, gentle way. Take time to reflect on what supports do and do not help you and your loved one. There are so many ways you can provide support, and one great way is to express you love and lend compassion as often as you can.
Facebook Twitter. By Dawna Roberts, December 22, As a caregiver, being around someone who lives with bipolar disorder can be confusing, frustrating, and leave you feeling helpless and hopeless, not knowing where to turn. Some other things you can do that are incredibly beneficial are to… Give Hugs — appropriate physical affection shows that you love your person, even if they are exhibiting challenging behaviors or having difficulty returning the emotion.
Things That Are Often Not Helpful 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.
Additional resources For more stories about managing adult bipolar disorder in the family, watch our Adult Bipolar Disorder Webinar Series. Download a free copy of our Bipolar Disorder Action Plan. This action plan walks you through some of the questions you should answer when trying to solve a problem.
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. Be 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 help. When your loved one is well, negotiate a treatment contract that gives you advance approval for protecting them when symptoms flare up.
Know what to do in a crisis. Having a crisis plan can help. Make sure to include a list of emergency contact information for doctors, therapists, and other friends or family members who will help. Call for an ambulance and stay with your loved one until it arrives. Focus on your own life. Seek support. It can also help to get your own therapy or join a support group.
Set boundaries. Manage stress. Stress takes a toll on the body and mind, so find ways to keep it in check. You can also keep stress under control by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation. Ask for help. If your friend or family member needs more assistance than you can give, ask for help from others. Turn to other relatives or close friends, or contact a bipolar disorder support organization. Authors: Jeanne Segal, Ph. DSM Library. American Psychiatric Association, Bobo, William V.
Galynker, and Katherine N. Lam, Dominic H. Watkins, Kim Wright, and Pak Sham. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Family Self-Care and Recovery from Mental Illness — Looking after your own wellbeing while caring for a mentally ill family member. How to help Someone in Crisis — Handling a bipolar disorder crisis. In the U. This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments.
Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled. Cookie Policy. This guide will help you navigate the challenges and support your friend or family member. How can you help someone with bipolar disorder? Other ways to help someone with bipolar disorder You can also support your loved one by: Learning about bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder tend to be reclusive, so we'd try to keep a normal lifestyle around him. With people with bipolar disorder, you have to give them the choice to be social. If they're going to be in their room, infiltrate them with an activity they can do in their room. Don't let them in there to be alone and to suffer.
You can offer things that are calming, like baths or maybe music. A lot of times bipolar patients don't want to go outside, so when that person is ready to come out, be very gentle. You don't want to make them feel like an outcast, because they already feel that way in their own mind.
With our relative, we didn't know it was bipolar, and when we finally got a diagnosis, it was after we thought we'd lost him for 10 years. We thought that maybe he'll have to stay home his whole life and wouldn't be able to function again. How did your family cope? For the family, especially his mom, it was hard. The caregivers feel guilty and often don't take care of themselves. The whole family got into a real emotional mess, and it ended up being physically draining.
It was a difficult thing to watch because we all felt helpless. Then one day he went to a doctor dealing specifically with mental health , and he came up with a program of medications.
Each person has a different genetic makeup and will handle medications differently, and we magically found the right combination. Through medication and diet, through love and support and reaching out to community and friends, we were blessed with the fact that he recovered.
But recovery was a slow progress. There were good days and bad days, but the smiles came back, the integration into society came back. He wanted to learn, to feel good, and began keeping up his appearance.
But some days just aren't easy, and he was fortunate to have people who cared, were patient, and never gave up.
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