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Your friend or loved one is suddenly dealing with the onset of some serious mood shifts. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects a person’s ability to function in day-to-day life. The swings from extreme energy and fearlessness (mania) to debilitating depression can be a lot for anyone, even bystanders. The good news is that with the right tool box, anyone who cares can help someone living with bipolar disorder. Whether they are newly diagnosed or have a functioning treatment regiment, these tips and tricks can definitely make a difference.
Learn About Bipolar Disorder
If you want to help someone with bipolar disorder, one of the best things you can do is actually learn about the condition and its symptoms. Bipolar disorder was formerly known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder. Unlike a bad night, bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood that can last for weeks, months or even years. These shifts are so severe that when left untreated, tend to impact an individual’s relationships, school work, job performance and beyond.
Bipolar disorder is categorized into four main types: bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia and other or unspecified. Each of these four categories have a different onset of the same two major symptoms, mania and depression. In bipolar I, people experience the most extreme highs, (mania) and the most depressive of lows. Depression is consistent throughout each of the four types of bipolar disorder. The mania, however, can be less severe with other types of bipolar disorder, also called hypomania. This form of an elevated mood is considered less reckless than those who experience full on manic episodes, but both require treatment and support to build a functional and healthy life.
Identify Warning Signs and Triggers
Another great way to help a person with their bipolar disorder is to help identify potential warning signs or triggers. Bipolar disorder can be triggered by many things, including traumatic events, stress, and insomnia. Every person is different, so this isn’t a one-size-fits-all list. Some warning signs of bipolar disorder include:
- An irregular sleep schedule or insomnia
- Intense bursts of energy
- Irritability or restlessness
- Expedited or uncharacteristically enthusiastic speech
- Impulsivity, aggression or taking extreme risks
- Overly inflated sense of self
- Delusions
If you’ve noticed any of the above, don’t be hesitant to talk to your loved one about their behaviors. Ask them how you can help them to achieve a more restful sleep, or how you can help ground them in their current reality. Whatever the case may be, naming it is a critical first step to helping the person recognize that they may be experiencing a bipolar episode.
Avoid Assuming
There is a lot of media and stereotypes that float around about bipolar disorder. If you actually want to help someone with bipolar disorder, don’t assume that you understand the condition or what the person is actually experiencing. It is a terrifying disorder at times, where you feel like you have no control over your own body or mind. Instead, ask lots of open ended questions that will allow the person to process what they are currently experiencing. Do not assume that they are:
- Incapable of being alone
- Incapable of taking care of themselves
- That every mood shift is a sign
- That a bad day is definitively a bipolar day
- That you can empathize
Seek Professional Help
Though your support is critical, a medical professional’s interventions are necessary for a person living with bipolar disorder to seek a fulfilling and independent life. A combination of therapy and medication has been proven to be most effective in treating this particular mood disorder. If your loved one is refusing to seek treatment, this is one of the greatest ways you can show up for them. When they don’t have the energy or focus to make or get to appointments, schedule them or drive them to the front door. If they are having difficulty staying med compliant, discuss this with them or help them set up reminders throughout the week. Accountability is one of the most valuable tools bipolar people have when they are trying to get better.
Make a Crisis Plan
A huge side-effect of bipolar disorder is suicidal ideation. As a result, a crisis plan might be key in keeping your loved one safe and stable. Establish a code word or signal that something is off so that you definitely know when your person is struggling. And make sure, that when something serious is going on, that they find the professional help that they need as well.
Practice Self-Care
As an individual with bipolar I disorder myself, I understand the impact the condition can have on those that care for us. As a caretaker or loved one of an individual with bipolar disorder, it is also critical that you find time to care for yourself. There are a number of support groups globally that support individuals living with and/or those close to people who suffer from bipolar. Consider reaching out to friends and family who aren’t currently struggling to enjoy a much deserved break. Bipolar disorder is a life-long condition that, even when treated successfully, can prove extremely difficult for all those involved. It is important to pace yourself so you don’t burn out. You are going to make mistakes. It is impossible to be perfect, and you won’t get everything right. Especially in the beginning. Be kind to yourself, pace yourself, and know that everything you do not only makes a difference, but is critical to a bipolar person’s recovery.
