What do you do if you know someone who is bipolar? How do you talk to them and help them out? This can be a difficult question, but it's important that we all try to help out those who are suffering from bipolar disorder.
In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to talk to someone who is bipolar and provide some resources for further reading.
Tips For Talking To Bipolar Individuals
According to Bipolar disorder by the Mayo Clinic, extreme changes in mood and behavior are prevalent in people with bipolar disorder. These mood swings may happen suddenly and may hurt the person's own life.
You might have to endure irrational behavior, absurd demands, violent outbursts, and careless choices while experiencing a manic episode. And after the manic episode has ended, it frequently falls on you to deal with the fallout. You might need to intervene for a loved one or a friend who shows bipolar symptoms.
NHS lists these symptoms in Symptoms- Bipolar Disorder.
The good news is that with the right care, medicine, and support, the majority of people with this mental health disorder can stabilize their moods. Your loved one's treatment and recovery can benefit much from your tolerance, love, and understanding. Sometimes, all someone needs to change their perspective and motivation is someone to talk to.
You can confirm this viewpoint in NCBI's The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: Decision-Making in Primary Care.
Here are some tips on how to interact or talk to someone with bipolar disorder:
Don't Argue With Them
The amygdala, a fear area in our brains, is in charge of triggering our fight-or-flight responses. When this happens, we fail to communicate our precise intentions and turn irrational and unreasonable.
The amygdala may be overactive or extremely quickly triggered in people with bipolar disorder. This occurrence is known as amygdala hijack.
You can read about the amygdala hijack in Amygdala Hijack and the Fight or Flight Response by Verywell Mind.
Don't argue or discuss with your bipolar partner while they are experiencing terror. wait till the person with bipolar disorder is calm. Arguing with someone with a bipolar disorder experience might get things heated up and violence might come into the picture. Bphope confirms this possibility in Bipolar Disorder & Anger: Understanding and Getting Control of Irritability.
Reassurance
When talking to someone with bipolar disorder, be comforting. Always remind the patient that he or she is fine, it's just a phase.
Don't remind someone with bipolar disorder of their mental health condition but always remind them of how unique and wonderful they are.
Be Compassionate
When bipolar disorder symptoms worsen, the effect can resemble an ugly outburst by a two-year-old. Massachusetts General Hospital made a similar comparison in You can see this comparison in DMDD Versus Bipolar Disorder.
Try to keep your judgment to yourself as much as you can. If you come downstairs and discover your bipolar friend or relative having a screaming tantrum, treat them as much as you would with a young child whose scoop of ice cream just dropped off the cone.
The person is responding to the world as they perceive it.
Take stock and consider ideal backgrounds. Put a lot of compassion into it and try to be understanding.
Never Use Abusive Words
When talking to someone with bipolar disorder, try not to use abusive words. In as much as the person's mood episode can be quite annoying, set your boundaries.
It takes a lot of discipline to deal with someone that has a bipolar disorder because the person's mood changes and mood episodes can be very tiring and neck wracking but try and understand the patient's situation and choose your words carefully.
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Focus on the Good Moments
A conversation that reminisces the fun-filled moments is always healthy for someone with bipolar disorder. An individual with bipolar disorder confirmed this suggestion in What it's like to have bipolar, by people who have bipolar by the Mental Health Foundation.
Focus on the good times you had with the person, not the hurdles and anger. Remind them of the fun memories you have shared even when life is questionable.
How Can You Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Helping someone with bipolar disorder, especially when going through a manic or depressive episode is a caring but challenging task to do.
Having a friend or family member with bipolar disorder can be difficult, as you are aware. Both the person with the disease and the people in their lives may struggle with unpredictable behaviors and intense mood swings. You can confirm these assertions in Helping Someone with Bipolar Disorder by HelpGuide.
According to Self-management for bipolar disorder by ReachOut.com, it's critical for those who suffer from bipolar disorder to appreciate coping mechanisms.
The individuals in their lives, such as friends or family members, must understand how to help them when they are experiencing a manic or depressed episode.
Here are some tips for supporting a loved one who is suffering from bipolar disorder:
Educate Yourself
You will be more equipped to assist if you are more knowledgeable about bipolar disorder. For example, being aware of the signs of manic and depressed periods will help you respond effectively when your mood suddenly changes.
You can verify this strategy in NCBI's Improving Outcomes in Patients With Bipolar Disorder Through Establishing an Effective Treatment Team.
You can educate yourself by joining a bipolar support alliance where you'll be taught about bipolar disorder. You can find support groups and books on bipolar disorder on the Bipolar Life web page SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER.
Listen
To be helpful, you don't necessarily have to offer solutions or counsel. One of the nicest things you can do for someone with bipolar disorder is simply to listen to them, especially when they want to talk to you about their struggles. HelpGuide confirms this notion in Living With Bipolar Disorder.
By expressing your acceptance and understanding, you can greatly aid the person in feeling more at ease about their situation.
You may improve your listening skills by:
- Completely paying attention to what your bipolar friend or loved one is saying
- Be calm during conversations
- Ask friendly questions about what he or she has been saying.
- Avoiding conflicts
- Staying away from any subjects that seem to annoy or disappoint them
See what you shouldn't say to individuals with bipolar disorder in 7 Things Nobody With Bipolar Disorder Wants to Hear by Everyday Health.
Be Their Hero
People with this mental illness occasionally experience the feeling that everyone is out to get them. The person may feel more stable if you reassure them that you support them. You can confirm these statements in Bipolar Disorder by NIMH.
Even if you disagree with the person's attitudes and actions, reassuring them that you have their support no matter what can be incredibly helpful.
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Affirming their abilities and positive traits can assist those who suffer from bipolar disorder, who frequently feel hopeless or unworthy. This can make it easier for them to bounce back from depressive episodes
Know Your Limits
A bipolar individual can benefit greatly from your assistance. But, you must know when to back off and let a medical or mental health expert take over. Although people with bipolar disorder are capable of making consciously informed choices, you must recognize when their emotions and actions are beyond their control.
SAHMSA has more to say in Living Well with Bipolar Disorder.
Also, if the person has a setback while you're attempting to help, don't take it personally. Keep in mind that you are both trying your best.
Draw a Plan
Unpredictability is a risk seen in bipolar disorder. If you need to deploy an emergency plan during severe mood episodes, it's crucial to have one in place.
Healthline talks more about this strategy in How to Deal with the Uncertainty of Bipolar Episodes.
This plan should outline what to do if the person experiences suicidal thoughts while experiencing a depressive episode or if they lose control while experiencing a manic episode.
Additionally, you should make daily preparations to help the person get through the intervals between extreme episodes. These plans may contain coping strategies, such as what to do when one feels a mood swing coming on or how to carry out daily tasks when one is feeling low on energy.
Make these arrangements when the person is composed and stable in their thoughts. For easy access by both of you, it's preferable to put them in writing.
In the manic phase of their condition, people with bipolar disorder might occasionally exhibit highly impulsive behavior. If your loved one is feeling well, they might ask you to hold their cash or credit cards so they can avoid doing any financial harm to themselves while they are manic. This occurrence can be confirmed in Bipolar Disorder Signs and Symptoms by HelpGuide.
Before committing to help your loved one in this way, consider whether you can handle it.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
According to NCBI's Treatment of bipolar disorder, a psychiatrist experienced in treating bipolar disorder and associated illnesses is the ideal professional to oversee the treatment. A psychologist, social worker, and psychiatric nurse could be on your therapy team.
As a lifelong condition, symptom management is the focus of treatment.
The treatment for bipolar disorder may include:
Medications
One with bipolar disorder will often need medication to balance his or her mood right away. Medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and mood stabilizers. Healthline cites some medications for bipolar disorder in Drugs to Treat Bipolar Disorder.
Renewed Treatments
Even when the patient feels better, bipolar disorder needs to be treated with medication for the rest of their life. You can read up on the full treatment for bipolar patients in Treatment – Bipolar disorder by NHS.
People who neglect maintenance therapy run the danger of experiencing a relapse of their symptoms or of having mild mood swings develop into major depression or mania. This information is stated in NCBI's Risk for Recurrence in Depression.
Programs for Day Therapy
A regimen for day treatment may be suggested by the doctor. These programs offer the assistance and guidance the patient require as they manage their symptoms.
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Hospitalization
If they behave in a risky manner, experience suicidal thoughts, or lose touch with reality, the doctor may advise they should be admitted to the hospital.
Whether they're experiencing a manic or major episode of depression, receiving psychiatric care in a hospital can help them to be safe, calm, and in control of their emotions.
A person with bipolar disorder requires medical treatment and psychological counseling (behavioral therapy) to regulate the symptoms. Education and support groups may also be used as additional therapies.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness explains the different therapies for bipolar disorder in Different Types of Therapy for Bipolar Disorder.
Understanding Bipolar Disorders
According to the America Psychiatric Association, bipolar disorders are a group of mental disorders that cause an individual's mood, energy, and functional ability to fluctuate extremely. You can verify this definition in Bipolar Definition and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria by Psycom.
They are one of the most prevalent forms of mental disorders in the United States of America. Every year, bipolar disorder is diagnosed in about 3 million people. This condition's previous name was "manic depression," but it was changed to help lessen the stigma attached to the sickness.
You can confirm these statements in the NCBI article Bipolar Disorder.
Although there are several types of bipolar disorders, mood changes that range from severe depression to mania are the most typical signs and symptoms. The NIMH cited this fact in Bipolar Disorder.
Depression
A depressive episode is one major symptom of someone with bipolar disorder.
This depression usually involves more than just feeling down. It consists of:
- Low zeal
- Inadequate focus
- Apathy: Lack of interest in formerly important issues.
- Irritability
- A low sense of self
- Alterations in appetite or sleep patterns
- Suicidal or self-harming ideas
Someone with bipolar disorder may go through prolonged depressive episodes that make it difficult for them to go about their regular lives.
You can read up on these features of bipolar disorder in Verywell Mind's Major Depressive Episodes in Bipolar Disorder.
Mania
Manic episodes or hypomania are a component of the bipolar disorder diagnostic criteria. According to Mania by the Cleveland Clinic, an episode of mania is characterized by an upsurge in energy or mood. These signs include:
- Unusually positive attitude
- Decreased need for sleep
- Talkativeness
- Frenzied thinking
- Not paying attention
- Impulsive behavior includes expensive decisions, dangerous sexual behavior, reckless driving, etc.
- Enhanced energy levels
- irritability or unease
Manic patients may occasionally develop psychosis and need medical treatment. Many of these symptoms are present in hypomania, which is less severe or disruptive.
You can read up on manic episodes in bipolar disorder in NCBI's The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: Decision-Making in Primary Care.
Bipolar illness symptoms and severity can change throughout a person's lifetime. However, bipolar disorder can be successfully treated. You can verify these statements in the Cleveland Clinic's Bipolar Disorder.
You can also read our Ultiblog article on Anger Management.
Conclusion
A person with bipolar disorder can be difficult to help. The person's moods will fluctuate, making it challenging to know how to respond or cope.
But if you put out the effort, you can significantly impact your friend or loved one's life. Knowing they can count on you can encourage them to adhere to their treatment plan and maintain a positive outlook.
Knowing that you are assisting a friend or loved one in navigating the ups and downs of living with bipolar disorder can be enjoyable for you as well.
FAQ
Can bipolar disorder be cured?
Although there is no known treatment for bipolar disorder, most people with the illness can live normal, fulfilling lives and manage their condition with the help of behavior therapy and an appropriate dosage of mood stabilizers and other bipolar medications.
