If you have a friend or family member who has bipolar disorder, you know how difficult it can be. A bipolar person as well as the people in their lives may struggle with their erratic behaviors and extreme mood swings.
Understanding how to cope with bipolar disorder is critical for those who suffer from it. It’s also essential that the people in their lives, such as friends or family members, understand how to assist them when experiencing a manic or depressive episode. Continue reading for a list of ways to assist someone you care about who suffers from bipolar disorder.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental illness that causes mood, energy, and activity levels to fluctuate dramatically. These changes impact the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. Bipolar disorder is most common in older teenagers and young adults, with an average onset age of 25 years.
Bipolar disorder is divided into six categories. While they share some symptoms, the severity and treatment of these symptoms differ. The six types, from the most severe to the least severe, are as follows:
- bipolar I disorder
- bipolar II disorder
- cyclothymic disorder
- substance or medication-induced bipolar disorder
- unspecified bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense emotional phases known as “mood episodes.” Extreme happiness or joy (mania) can be followed by deep sadness or hopelessness during these episodes (depression). Bipolar disorder patients may experience both happiness and sadness simultaneously (mixed state).
Challenges of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder typically experience severe changes in their energy and activity levels, sleep patterns, and other everyday behaviors when their moods change. Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions may also occur during severe mood episodes. People with bipolar disorder and those around them may find these frightening.
Bipolar disorder is usually a chronic illness. While many people with bipolar disorder may experience periods of symptom-free living, symptoms can return at any time. Those with bipolar disorder may become anxious during these symptom-free periods because they are unsure when their next mood episode will occur.
How to Deal with a Bipolar Person?
It’s not easy to live with bipolar disorder, and however, your support can make a significant difference in someone’s life who has the condition, particularly during mood episodes. Here are ten things you can do to assist someone who has bipolar disorder:
Self-Awareness
You’ll be able to help more people if you know more about bipolar disorder. Understanding the symptoms of manic and depressive episodes, for example, can help you respond appropriately during mood swings.
Plan Out
Bipolar disorder is a disorder that is difficult to predict. If you need to use an emergency plan during a severe mood episode, it’s critical to have one in place. This plan should include what to do if the person feels suicidal during a depressive episode or loses control during a manic episode.
You should also have daily plans to help the individual get through the period between extreme episodes. These plans may include coping mechanisms, such as what to do if a mood swing is approaching or how to complete chores or other daily activities when energy levels are low. Make these plans when the person is calm and stable in their emotions.
Don’t Push
Your support can be highly beneficial to someone who has bipolar disorder. You must, however, know when to take a step back and allow a medical or mental health professional to assist you. While people with bipolar disorder can make rational decisions, you must recognize when their moods and behaviors are out of control.
Also, don’t take it personally if the person you’re attempting to assist has a setback. Keep in mind that you’re both giving it your all.
Listen Empathetically
You don’t always have to give answers or advice to be helpful. In fact, being a good listener is one of the most important things you can do for someone with bipolar disorder, especially when they want to talk about their problems.
Acceptance and understanding can go a long way toward making someone feel more at ease with their situation. You can improve your listening skills by:
- actively listening to what they have to say
- keeping your cool during conversations
- avoiding conflicts
- avoiding any subject that irritates or frustrates them
Understand Them
It can be difficult for people with mental illnesses to comprehend what they’re going through. Those who have bipolar disorder may not understand why their moods fluctuate. It can make a big difference in how someone feels if you try to understand what they’re going through and offer your support.
Be Patient and Optimistic
Because bipolar disorder is a chronic illness, symptoms will ebb and flow throughout life. Symptom-free periods alternate with extreme mood episodes, making the disorder unpredictable. Try to remain patient and optimistic for the sake of the person with bipolar disorder. This can assist them in maintaining a full and healthy lifestyle.
Know when to Stop
No one knows how to deal with bipolar disorder better than those trained to do so. Contact a medical or mental health professional right away if you’re assisting someone with bipolar disorder and things are becoming too much for you to handle.
The Takeaway
It can be challenging to assist someone who has bipolar disorder. The person’s moods will be unpredictable, and knowing how to react or cope can be difficult. To help them out, seek the help of a psychiatrist.
However, if you put forth the effort, you can have a significant impact on the life of a friend or loved one. Knowing they can count on you can help them stick to their treatment plan and maintain a positive attitude. It can also feel good to know that you’re assisting a friend or loved one with bipolar disorder in coping with the ups and downs of life.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top Psychologists in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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FAQs
1. How to calm down a bipolar person?
The above-mentioned tips are all you need to help calm down a person with bipolar disorder.
2. What triggers a bipolar person?
The following factors may increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder or act as a trigger for your first episode:
- Having a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder, such as a parent or sibling.
- Periods of high stress, such as when a loved one dies or when another traumatic event occurs.
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol.
3. Should you argue with a bipolar person?
The amygdala (part of brain) in people with bipolar disorder can be overactive or easily triggered. When your bipolar partner is in a fear state, don’t argue or debate with him or her. Wait until the situation has calmed down.