How to Help a Loved One With a Bipolar Disease

Helping a loved one with bipolar disorder can be difficult, particularly if your friend or relative refuses treatment. Bipolar disorder, also called manic depressive disorder, causes severe mood swings that range from depression to the extreme excitement or agitation of mania. The disorder can have a devastating effect on all areas of a person's life if not controlled. Although caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder can be challenging, there are things you can do to help your loved one deal with the highs and lows of this illness.

Things You'll Need

• Written authorization to discuss care
• Pill dispenser

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Ask for your loved one's written authorization to talk with his doctors about his condition. During a bipolar episode, you can act as your loved one's representative and discuss care and medication with the doctor.

• 2

  Learn the warning signs that occur before your friend or relative experiences a bipolar episode. If you notice these signs, remind your friend that you are noticing changes and suggest that he call his doctor for advice. Make the call yourself if your friend won't.

• 3

  Offer your support and tell your loved one that you understand she has a very real illness. Emphasize how important she is to you and others and that you are confident that she will get through this tough time.

• 4

  Help your friend make sure that he always has his medication. Pick up medication refills and fill a weekly pill dispenser to avoid confusion regarding missed pills.

• 5

  Find out what you can do to help during a rough time. Cleaning the house, doing the laundry or going grocery shopping may seem impossible to someone suffering from major depression. Taking care of these little things will make getting through the day just a little easier for your friend or relative.

• 6

  Form a network of concerned friends or relatives to assist your loved one. It is easy to become burned out when dealing with bipolar disorder. Sharing the burden with others ensures that you don't take on more than you can handle.

• 7

  Call 911 if your friend or relative is engaging in behavior that is causing an immediate danger to herself or others. Don't wait for the behavior to subside. If you wait, the behavior may escalate, resulting in a tragedy.