Bipolar disorder is a mental health issue characterized by significant changes in mood, shifting between intense happiness or deep sadness. It’s not just tough for the person having it, but also their close ones.
Knowing how to help someone with bipolar disorder can greatly improve their life quality. This article shares effective support methods.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
It’s vital to get what bipolar disorder really is before exploring ways to offer help. The disorder has several types, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, each showcasing distinct symptoms.
Nonetheless, all sorts have mood episodes alternating between intense lows and highs.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Depressive Episodes
- Constant feeling of sadness
- Disinterest in previously loved activities
- Feeling tired
- Having negative thoughts about self
- Change in sleep or food habits
- Issues with focusing
Manic Episodes
- Feeling overly happy or annoyed
- Sudden burst of energy and increased activity
- Talking quickly with thoughts running at high speed
- Experiencing high self-worth or grandeur
- Needing less sleep
- Showing impulsive or risky behaviors
How to Help Someone with Bipolar Disorder?
Here’s how to help someone with bipolar disorder.
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Educate Yourself
Helping a person that has bipolar disorder is most effective when you learn about it. Know the signs, what may cause them, and ways to manage it. This info allows you to give the support that’s needed.
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Encourage Treatment and Therapy
Telling your friend or family member to get professional help is really important.
Doctors often treat high functioning bipolar disorder with both medicine and therapy.
Mood stabilizers, medicines for mental disorders, or depression medications are often given by doctors to control the condition.
Meanwhile, therapy gives ways to manage and emotional backup.
Types of Therapy:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): This assists in recognizing and altering negative thinking.
- Family-Oriented Therapy: This brings family into the therapy process to enhance interactions and encouragement.
- IPT/SRT (Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy): This looks towards setting up steady daily habits and fostering relationships.
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Be a Good Listener
At times, lending an ear can be of utmost help. Be there, allow your loved one to share their worries and feelings, and understand them without negativity. Do not give advice unless asked for, and never underestimate their feelings.
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Provide Emotional Support
The provision of emotional support can serve as a savior for a person suffering from bipolar disorder. Be generous with your patience, understanding, and kindness. Recognize their troubles and applaud their victories, however minor they may seem.
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Help with Daily Routines
Keeping to a routine proves helpful for people with bipolar disorder. Offer assistance with day-to-day chores like planning meals, doing the grocery shopping, or managing household work. Regularity and structure in everyday endeavors can be an effective way to control mood variations.
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Monitor for Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for mood episode warning signs to intervene early. You might notice changes like a drop in social activities, different sleep rhythms, and a lack of interest in usual pursuits during depressive episodes. In contrast, mania can show up as a boost in energy, rapid speech, and daring actions.
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Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Choices
To stabilize mood, encourage a healthy lifestyle. Boost good habits like regular workouts, balanced meals, enough sleep, and stress-lowering activities like mindfulness or yoga.
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Respect Their Treatment Plan
It’s key to respect your loved one’s treatment strategy. Encourage them to stick to given medicines and therapy appointments. Before suggesting other treatments, always chat with their medical professional.
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Stay Informed About Crisis Resources
Being aware of who to contact in a crisis is crucial. Get to know your local mental health aid, crisis helplines, and emergency contacts. For dire situations, like a threat of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, get help right away.
Building a Supportive Environment
Crafting a helpful environment is not just about emotional support. It requires real actions to make sure your loved one feels secure, accepted, and appreciated.
Open Communication
Keep conversation clear and honest. Discussing concerns, boundaries, and hopes can prevent confusion and foster trust. Prompt your loved one to voice their needs and likes.
Avoid Stigma
Don’t uphold the stigma around mental health, it can pose a real obstacle to getting help. Confront the wrong ideas and generalizations about bipolar disorder. Stand up for mental health awareness and promote a space of acceptance and empathy.
Involve Support Networks
Urge your dear one to gather a support group. This might be made up of friends, family, support circles, or mental health experts. A solid support network offers more layers of care and boosts morale.
Take Care of Yourself
Assisting someone with bipolar disorder can be both emotionally and physically tough. Taking care of your own health is crucial. Get involved in self-care, lean on your friends or groups, and consider expert advice if required.
The Takeaway
If you want to know how to help someone with bipolar disorder, spend time learning about the condition. Show them kindness and offer help regularly. By creating a supportive space, suggesting medical help, and offering advice on a healthy way of life, you can help them a lot.
Your support is a key part in them finding balance and feeling better.
If bipolar disorder is a battle for you or someone else you know, Esteem Behavioral Healthcare gives personalized mental health care.
Our skilled staff cares deeply and is all in to assist. Reach out to us today to see our services and how we could assist you.
FAQs
How do you calm a bipolar person?
When someone is having a bipolar episode, make the surroundings peaceful and quiet. Respond with a calm and gentle tone, really listen to them, and steer clear of arguments.
Suggest they do deep breathing or mindfulness activities and offer a hand with their treatment plan.
What are some coping skills for bipolar?
Helpful ways to handle bipolar disorder are:
- Sticking to a fixed daily routine
- Regular workouts
- Practicing mind-calming techniques
- Setting achievable goals
- Reaching out to loved ones, friends, or support groups.
- Staying with the prescribed medicines and therapies is important as well
What are calming activities for bipolar people?
Activities that can help those with bipolar disorder are:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Deep-breathing exercises
- Taking walks in nature
- Reading
- Soothing music
- Writing a journal
- Diving into creative pastimes such as arts and crafts
How to deal with a bipolar episode?
Keep cool and stand by their side. Ensure they’re sticking to their prescribed medicines and care plan. Listen attentively and help steer clear of things like stress and overexcitement.
If signs of self-harm or suicidal tendencies appear, don’t hesitate to get professional help.
How to help someone with bipolar disorder who refuses help?
In a situation where a bipolar person rejects assistance, patience and empathy are key.
Show that you care about their well-being and the value of professional help. Don’t push, instead propose to go with them for a medical consultation.
Make known resources and support groups that are available.
What are some positive things to say to someone with bipolar?
Positive words can mean a lot. You can say things like;
- “I believe in you.”
- “You aren’t alone.”
- “Your feelings are valid.”
- “I’m here for you.”
- “You’re strong and capable.”
Reiterating your support and understanding could be incredibly impactful.
How to deal with bipolar disorder in a relationship?
Handling it needs clear and honest communication, empathy, and patience. Learn more about it, encourage sticking to treatment, and create a supportive space.
Build good boundaries and try therapy for couples if it helps. This can boost communication.
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