How to Cope With Family Members With Bipolar Disease

Coping with mental illness within the family is difficult. Aside from the sadness and frustration of seeing a disease turn a loved one into a different person, there's always concern that the disease will cause the person to harm themselves or others. Strong family support helps all those dealing with the illness. Knowing how bipolar works, keeping watch over your loved one, advocating for proper care and caring for yourself won't make things easy, but it will help.

Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself. Knowing how bipolar disorder works is empowering, and it helps you understand that the person's irrational behavior is not to be taken personally.

• 2

  Grieve. People close to those with bipolar disorder often feel guilt and a sense of loss. Taking time to grieve is essential to handling the disease with a clear mind and an even keel.

• 3

  Keep watch. People with bipolar disorder are bad at assessing their mental health. Notice the person's behavior, especially reactions to certain medications. (This can also be helpful in detecting when a person has secreetly stopped taking medication.) Your observations can be very helpful to the person's doctor.

• 4

  Know the patterns. People with bipolar disorder alternate between depression and euphoria. Know how to tell when a phase is on the way so you can prepare emotionally and help your loved one through the ordeal.

• 5

  Get support. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has support groups around the country. You may also find similar groups through your loved one's doctors.