How to Be Friends With Someone With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a disease of the nerve signals in the brain that pass messages. The chemical imbalance of bipolar disorder can be corrected with the right medications. Otherwise, bipolar people have manic highs and depressive lows. Individuals with bipolar disorder are often very charismatic and fun to be around. They make great friends if they are taking good care of themselves. One of the things a friend can do is inquire about the health of a bipolar person to let him or her know she cares about the bipolar person`s unique needs.

Instructions

Being a friend

• 1

  A bipolar person is often times working very hard to manage just their simple day-to-day activities such as self hygiene, eating and negotiating social situations in the world. One of the most helpful things a friend to a bipolar person can do is listen without judgment as the bipolar person explains how it is to live in his world.

• 2

  A bipolar person wants to have fun but often times they are afraid of going overboard with this fun. So being in constant communication about how the bipolar person feels about your activities is key to being a friend of a bipolar person. Whether it`s going out to dinner, going to a sports game, making dinner, or simply taking a walk, it is good to check in with your bipolar friend to make sure he is doing all right as you go through these activities.

• 3

  A bipolar person already can feel marginalized and isolated for his or her disease, so it is important to be available to the person with bipolar disorder so he or she knows that you care. Even by simply picking up the phone or texting every couple of days, this lets the bipolar person know that you are thinking of him.

• 4

  Alert your bipolar friend if you start to think he is slipping into depression or mania. This can be the most difficult thing to do as a friend of a bipolar person. Usually friends or family are the first people to notice the warning signs so if you have a concern, voice it. Doing this in a non-accusatory way can be a life saver for someone with bipolar disorder.