How to Support a Person with Bipolar disease

Bipolar disease is a very difficult thing for a person to go through. It's just as hard to support someone who suffers from a bipolar disorder. Support and help is needed though from a loved one. Supporting someone with bipolar disease means helping them follow doctors orders and making sure they take their bipolar medication. Also just giving them support and love as well. When a person has a manic episode, they're not always aware of their condition. They're prone to hurting themselves with erratic behavior. Being prepared to handle these situations are helpful. Their doctor will more than likely give you detailed information on what to do as well. When someone suffers from bipolar disorder, someone needs to be there to help them through it.

Instructions

• 1

  Try to help reduce their stress. Stress will make their condition worse. How you reduce it can be by helping them with responsibilities. Help them pay their bills, make dinner for them, whatever helps relieve tension for them. Maybe take them somewhere relaxing and enjoyable as well. Find ways to bring joy into their life, whatever way you can.

• 2

  Be there for them and talk with them. Try to get them to open up and share their bipolar symptoms with you. Try to get them to express their feelings and what they're going through. If you want, keep a journal to describe manic episodes that they have. Then give detailed information to their doctors describing those episodes.

• 3

  Set up appointments for them. Sometimes a person when suffering from a manic episode will more than likely forget. They'll even at times try to avoid going to an appointment, feeling as if they're fine. So set up appointments for them, and be the one that takes them to their appointments.

• 4

  Talk to their doctor. Definitely talk to their doctor, and go with them when getting treatment. That way you can get more familiar with their condition, and he or she will give you specific instructions. What bipolar symptoms to look for, when to give them their medication, etc...

• 5

  Limit responsibilities. Try to talk this person into allowing you to assist in paying bills and holding onto their credit cards. Keep things like car keys, knives, and other dangerous objects hidden somewhere safety. When they have an episode, they're capable of causing danger to themselves and others. If you don't live with them, this obviously is difficult to do. If the person refuses, then try to make them understand you are only looking out for their safety. During a manic episode, they can be prone to doing things that are quite extreme.

  Also have an emergency number to contact in case a manic episode is taking a turn for the worse. If this person because threatening to themselves, or others, contact help immediately.

• 6

  Be prepared. To support someone with bipolar disorder, you need to be prepared about everything. You need to know what to do when they're having a manic episode. Speaking to their doctor will help you be prepared.

  Also, don't overdue it. You can't lose your mind, because supporting someone with bipolar disease can be stressful. Learn to take breaks and find ways where you can relax mentally. Learn to take on too much responsibility and delegate. Try to have other family members, or loved ones help out as well.