How to Help a Family Member With Bipolar

bipolar disorder

Helping Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Dealing with a loved ane's bipolar disorder isn't easy. This guide volition help y'all navigate the challenges and back up your friend or family member.

How can you aid someone with bipolar disorder?

Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult—and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviors of a person with bipolar disorder bear on everyone around—particularly family members and close friends. It can put a strain on your relationship and disrupt all aspects of family life.

During a manic episode, you lot may have to cope with reckless antics, outrageous demands, explosive outbursts, and irresponsible decisions. And once the whirlwind of mania has passed, it frequently falls on you to deal with the consequences. During episodes of depression, yous may have to selection up the slack for a loved one who doesn't have the energy to encounter responsibilities at home or work.

The adept news is that most people with bipolar disorder tin can stabilize their moods with proper treatment, medication, and support. Your patience, love, and agreement tin can play a pregnant 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.

But caring for a person with bipolar disorder can also accept a toll if you fail your ain needs, so information technology's important to discover a balance betwixt supporting your loved one and taking care of yourself.

Other ways to assist someone with bipolar disorder

You tin likewise support your loved i by:

Learning about bipolar disorder. Learn everything you can almost the symptoms and handling options. The more than yous know about bipolar disorder, the amend equipped you'll be to aid your loved one and continue things in perspective.

Encouraging the person to get help. The sooner bipolar disorder is treated, the ameliorate the prognosis, and so urge your loved one to seek professional help right abroad. Don't await to meet if they volition get meliorate without treatment.

Being agreement. Let your friend or family unit member know that you're at that place if they need a sympathetic ear, encouragement, or assistance with treatment. People with bipolar disorder are often reluctant to seek aid because they don't want to feel like a burden to others, so remind the person that you care and that y'all'll do any you can to help.

Showing patience. Getting amend 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 set for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process.

The importance of support in bipolar disorder recovery

People with bipolar disorder practice better when they have support from family members and friends. They tend to recover more than quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and accept milder symptoms.

Bipolar disorder and the family

Living with a person who has bipolar disorder can crusade stress and tension in the home. On top of the challenge of dealing with your loved one'due south symptoms and their consequences, family members often struggle with feelings of guilt, fear, acrimony, and helplessness. Ultimately, the strain tin can crusade serious human relationship problems. But at that place are better ways to cope.

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

Treatment can make a huge difference for your loved one, but it may not accept care of all symptoms or impairments. To avert disappointment and resentments, it'south important to have realistic expectations. Expecting besides much of your family fellow member tin be a recipe for failure. On the other hand, expecting too piddling can likewise hinder their recovery, and so try to discover a remainder between encouraging independence and providing support.

Tips for coping with bipolar disorder in the family unit

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

Accept your own limits. You can't rescue your loved one with bipolar disorder, nor can yous force them to take responsibility for getting meliorate. Yous can offer back up, only ultimately, recovery is in the hands of the person with the illness.

Reduce stress. Stress makes bipolar disorder worse, then endeavor to observe ways to reduce stress in your loved one'due south life. Inquire how y'all can assistance 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 unit stress.

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

Supporting a person with bipolar disorder

What yous can say that helps:

• "You lot're not lonely in this. I'm here for you."
• "I understand that it'southward your illness that causes these thoughts and feelings."
• "Y'all may not believe it now, just the way yous're feeling can and will change."
• "I may not exist able to understand exactly how you lot feel, but I care about you and want to help and support you."
• "You lot are of import to me. Your life is important to me."

Convincing a person with bipolar disorder to see a dr.

Aside from offer emotional back up, the best way to help your loved one with bipolar disorder is by encouraging and supporting treatment. Often, that can exist more of a challenge than information technology sounds. Since people with bipolar disorder tend to lack insight into their condition, information technology'south non always easy to get them to a doctor. When your loved one is manic, they feel great and don't realize at that place'southward a trouble. When your loved one is depressed, they may recognize something's wrong, but often lack the energy to seek help.

If your loved one won't acknowledge the possibility of bipolar disorder, don't argue most it. The idea may be frightening to them, and then be sensitive. Suggest a routine medical checkup instead, or a doctor'due south visit for a specific symptom, such as insomnia, irritability, or fatigue—then privately telephone call ahead to tell the doctor of your concerns nigh bipolar disorder.

Things you can say that might help:

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

Supporting a loved ane during bipolar disorder treatment

One time your friend or family member agrees to see a dr., y'all can assistance by being a partner in treatment. Your back up tin can make a big deviation in their treatment success, so offering to be involved in whatsoever way your loved one wants or needs.

Things you tin do to support a loved one's bipolar disorder handling:

• Detect qualified doctors and therapists.
• Set up up appointments and go along.
• Offering your insights to the doc.
• Monitor your loved one's moods.

• Acquire about their medications.
• Runway handling progress.
• Watch for signs of relapse.
• Warning the doctor to issues.

Encourage your loved i to take bipolar disorder medication

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 end taking it. Some quit because they're feeling meliorate, others because of side effects, and all the same others because they bask the symptoms of mania. People who don't think they have a problem are specially likely to terminate taking medication.

You lot tin assistance your loved 1 stay on rails by emphasizing the importance of medication and making certain they take all prescriptions equally directed. Also encourage your loved i to speak to their doctor almost whatever bothersome side effects.

Side effects tin exist very unpleasant if the dose of the medication is too low or also high, but a change in medication or dosage may solve the problem. Remind your loved one that abruptly stopping medication is dangerous.

Sentry for warning signs of bipolar disorder relapse

Even if your loved i with bipolar disorder is committed to treatment, at that place may be times when their symptoms get worse. Take action correct away if you notice any troubling symptoms or mood changes. Betoken out the emerging bipolar symptoms to your loved one and alarm the doctor. With swift intervention, you may be able to prevent an episode of mania or depression from developing fully.

Mania alarm signs and symptoms:

• Sleeping less
• Elevated mood
• Restlessness

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

Depression warning signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Sleeping more
• Trouble concentrating

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

Coping with mania and low: Tips for family and friends

If information technology's not possible to prevent your loved 1 relapsing, there are things y'all can do 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, disquisitional, and aggressive. When depressed, they may be rejecting, irritable, hostile, and moody. Information technology's hard not to take such behaviors personally, simply endeavour to call back that they're symptoms of your loved one'southward mental disease, not the consequence of selfishness or immaturity.

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 1 is well, negotiate a handling contract that gives yous advance blessing for protecting them when symptoms flare up. Agree on specific steps you lot'll take, such as removing credit cards or car keys, going together to the md, or taking charge of household finances.

Know what to do in a crisis. Information technology's important to plan alee for times of crisis so yous can act chop-chop and effectively when it occurs. Having a crisis plan tin can help. Make sure to include a listing of emergency contact information for doctors, therapists, and other friends or family members who will help. Also include the address and phone number of the hospital where you'll have your loved ane if necessary.

Call 911 (or your land'south emergency services number) in an emergency. If your loved i with bipolar disorder is suicidal or vehement, don't try to handle the situation alone. If yous're worried that your loved one may injure yous, become to safety then call the police force. If your loved ane is suicidal, don't go out them solitary. Call for an ambulance and stay with your loved one until it arrives.

Supporting someone who is manic

• Spend fourth dimension with your loved one. People who are manic frequently experience isolated from other people. Spending even curt periods of fourth dimension with them helps. If your loved one has a lot of energy, walk together. This allows your loved one to keep on the move but however share your company.
• Reply questions honestly. However, do not argue or debate with someone during a manic episode. Try to avoid intense conversation.
• Don't have whatsoever comments personally. During manic episodes, your loved one may say or practice things that are out of grapheme, including focusing on negative aspects of others. Try to avoid arguments.
• Prepare easy-to-eat meals and drinks. It'southward oft difficult for someone who is manic to sit down to a repast, so effort offering them sandwiches, apples, cheese crackers, and juices, for instance.
• Avoid subjecting your loved i to a lot of activity and stimulation. It'southward better to keep surroundings as quiet equally possible.
• Allow your loved 1 to slumber whenever possible. During periods of high free energy, sleeping is difficult but brusk naps taken throughout the twenty-four hours can help. Sometimes a person who is manic may feel rested after only a few hours of sleep.

Taking care of yourself when a loved one has bipolar disorder

Information technology's easy to fail your own needs when y'all're supporting someone with a mental illness. Merely if you don't take care of yourself, yous run the risk of burnout—and that won't help you or your loved one. When you take care of yourself both emotionally and physically, you lot'll exist able to ameliorate cope with the stress of caring for someone with bipolar disorder and have the energy y'all need to support your loved one's recovery.

Focus on your own life. Supporting your loved ane may involve some life adjustments, but make certain you don't lose sight of your ain goals and priorities. Don't give up friendships, plans, or activities that bring yous joy.

Seek back up. Dealing with a loved one's mental illness can be painful and isolating. Make certain you're getting the emotional support you lot demand to cope. Talk to someone you trust about what you lot're going through. Information technology can also assist to get your ain therapy or join a support group.

Ready boundaries. Be realistic well-nigh the amount of care you're able to provide without feeling overwhelmed and resentful. Set limits on what y'all're willing and able to exercise, and stick to them. Letting bipolar disorder take over your life isn't healthy for you or your loved ane.

Manage stress. Stress takes a toll on the torso and mind, so find ways to keep it in check. Make certain y'all're eating right and getting plenty sleep and exercise. You can also go along stress under control past practicing relaxation techniques such every bit meditation.

Inquire for help. If your friend or family unit member needs more assistance than you lot can give, ask for help from others. Turn to other relatives or close friends, or contact a bipolar disorder back up organization.

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

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