As reported by the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. This severe mental health condition causes intense mood swings that often affect day-to-day living, including the ability to work, go to school, or maintain healthy relationships.
There are many signs and symptoms associated with bipolar. However, many of these symptoms overlap with other mental health conditions. That is why, as a loved one of someone suffering from bipolar disorder (or what you believe to be bipolar), you must take appropriate action. Showing you care can help encourage someone to take that initial step to improve their lives today and for years to come.
If you’re wondering how to help someone with bipolar disorder, this guide is for you.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Symptoms
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental illness that causes significant mood shifts. This disorder is often distressing for the patient and their family, as bipolar causes a rollercoaster of highs and lows. For example, a mother can be up one day, full of energy and hope, followed by days of sadness and inactivity. For her children, it can create an environment where they live on eggshells, especially when they do not have the support of another parent or loved one.
This is just one example. Bipolar doesn’t discriminate. While some key risk factors are involved, such as childhood adversity and substance use, anyone from any background can develop bipolar disorder. Knowing when someone needs help is the most crucial step, as treatment programs can be life-changing for the patient and everyone who loves them.
How to Identify Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Awareness of potential warning signs can help you or your loved one get early support. The sooner someone addresses their symptoms, the less likely it is they will suffer from severe consequences due to their condition. For example, your loved one could learn coping skills and receive a treatment plan that significantly improves their quality of life and the lives of those who care about them.
Helping a loved one be proactive and get the care they need involves identifying periods of unusually intense emotion, alternating from feeling up to feeling extremely down. These periods will also cause changes in sleep and activity levels. Behavioral changes are also a red flag. These distinct changes are referred to as mood episodes. Awareness of these warning signs will provide a baseline to determine whether symptoms worsen or change.
Signs of manic episodes include:
- Feeling elated
- Having more energy than usual
- Decreased need for more sleep
- Talking rapidly about an array of things
- An increased appetite for pleasurable activities, such as sex or drinking
Signs of depressive episodes include:
- Feeling low or anxious
- Feeling restless
- Problems sleeping, either waking up often or sleeping too much
- Poor concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of interest in activities
How to Communicate and Show Support to Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Approaching someone with bipolar disorder can be challenging, especially when they don’t acknowledge the issue. For this reason, it’s vital to remember that how you approach them matters. Know that bipolar is a mental health illness, and a serious one at that. Data shows that around 83% of cases are classified as severe. When left untreated, bipolar disorder often worsens, making early identification and intervention essential.
Show support to someone you love by expressing your concerns calmly. If you’re not trained in mental health, you should advise your loved one to seek professional help. Being correctly diagnosed is imperative, as many individuals with bipolar also live with other conditions, including stress-related disorders and substance use disorders. Understanding the dynamic between these diagnoses will influence one’s symptoms and treatment plan. For example, if someone with ADHD takes stimulants, these medications can trigger manic episodes.
The best support you can provide is encouraging your loved one to seek assistance from a trained, professional care team. Once they enter a treatment program, you can take steps to improve your understanding of their condition and the role you’ll play in their recovery.
Related: The Importance of Family in Recovery
Helpful Resources for Those With Bipolar Disorder
If someone you love is struggling with bipolar disorder, the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers many resources that will help you learn about the topic. Sometimes, learning about the condition is a critical step toward knowing how to proceed. For example, understanding your loved one’s perspective and how they may feel about their experiences can help you develop your approach. After all, it’s not about someone being right or wrong. It’s about your loved one getting the help they need and deserve.
Bringing negative situations from the past or talking about their mental health in a negative light could cause more harm than good. On that note, check out these resources to guide you through your journey as you take on a more supportive role. Some of these resources are intended for those considering treatment. Others are ideal for those already diagnosed who are learning to navigate life following their diagnosis.
- Bipolar Disorder Treatment
- Why Those Diagnosed With Bipolar Shouldn’t Use Marijuana
- Escaping from Oz – A Bipolar Journey
Other resources include:
- Living Well With Bipolar Disorder — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Bipolar Disorder Resources — American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Bipolar Disorder — National Institue of Mental Health
Managing Stress and Anxiety When Supporting Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Being a mom, husband, child, or filling another supportive role to someone with bipolar can be a challenging, draining experience. To ensure you can successfully support them throughout their recovery, you need to take care of yourself. Stress and anxiety are common when you love someone with bipolar. For example, research shows that marital relationships can significantly suffer based on a partner’s symptoms. When a household includes someone with bipolar, the dynamic can also be very distressing for children.
For this reason, caring for your own wellness and the well-being of others in your family is crucial. If you don’t, it’s easy for your identity to get buried in the chaos. If your health is jeopardized, you can’t support anyone — your partner, child, parent, friend, or whoever needs you. Bipolar is manageable, and treatment can significantly improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones. However, it takes work. All loving relationships take work, and caring about someone with bipolar is no different.
Once your loved one seeks treatment, get involved as much as possible. Credible, evidence-based treatment centers will prioritize family support and healing. They will also provide resources and therapy for anyone who wants to address worsening stress and anxiety.
How to Encourage Self-Care and Coping Strategies
When learning how to help someone with bipolar, consider evidence-based self-care and coping strategies for yourself and your loved one. While you will not experience identical symptoms, you can both benefit from enhanced self-care and coping strategies that work for you.
If your loved one is already seeking support from a clinical team, be as involved with their treatment plan if they are comfortable with that. If they want you to be a major support person, you may also want to work directly with their care team. Ask which coping strategies may be most effective for your loved one and how self-care strategies can assist their healing journey — and yours.
Some strategies include:
- Doing something you find relaxing. For example, going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book, etc.
- Select an “active” relaxation technique and practice it daily, such as yoga.
- Understand your warning signs to avoid triggers. Also, plan for when an episode evolves into an unhealthy, stressful situation. What role will close family members or friends play?
- Use a mood diary to keep track of mood patterns to discuss with the mental health team.
- Taking care of your body via nutrition, optimal sleep, and limited alcohol consumption.
How to Help Someone With Bipolar: Key Takeaways
- Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and support. When learning how to help someone with bipolar, focus on your role and the limitations of that role. Treating bipolar requires a team of professionals with a background in mental health who can provide the treatment and therapy options required to manage symptoms successfully.
- It is important to recognize warning signs to prevent a bipolar disorder episode. If your loved one is having an episode, prioritize their safety and yours. Offer your support and consider the strategies you have learned throughout your loved one’s recovery journey to intervene with positive tactics.
- It is essential to provide a safe and comfortable environment for someone with bipolar disorder. Actively work with them to ensure a safe space, keeping their triggers in mind.
- Managing stress and anxiety is essential for the person with bipolar disorder and their support network. Since stress can elevate symptoms and create strain on you, the support person, stress management is critical. How you achieve that will depend on what relaxes you. Check out these nine tips for anxiety support.
- Encouraging self-care and coping strategies can help someone with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms. Focus on what works for you and your loved one. Prioritize self-care and celebrate small wins.
Transformations Can Help
At Transformations, we help our clients build a new life, which creates a domino effect. When your loved one starts healing, that is when your healing journey begins. Transformations Treatment Center understands the value of a strong support network throughout the recovery process, which is why we’re here to help you take the next step. Contact us to learn more about how to help someone with bipolar today!
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