One way you can understand your family member’s illness better and show support is to simply ask about their experience of it. Make sure, however, that you use discretion and identify if they feel comfortable talking with you about it before you attempt to engage them. If this is too threatening, you could simply ask how they are doing and gain more information about what they are currently going through.
Communicate with your family member’s mental health care provider. If your loved one has signed a release for you to speak with their therapist or doctor, you can notify that person about possible concerns or problems as they arise. You can also gain more information on how to assist your family member. If your family member is not currently receiving mental health treatment, you can encourage or help them to seek treatment. PsychologyToday. com. [3] X Research source and the American Psychological Association (APA)[4] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source are both helpful resources. You can search for therapists or psychiatrists in your area who specialize in bipolar disorder. However, be careful not to push treatment on your family member if they are reluctant (unless they are potentially harmful to herself or others); this can scare them off and disrupt your relationship.
If someone you care about has stopped their medication or expresses the desire to discontinue medication, it may be helpful to inquire as to what their reasons are. They may well have compelling reasons, beyond merely “I’m feeling better and I don’t need it”. Others may claim that they enjoy the high of hypomania and don’t want to take medication that will end their feeling of euphoria. Adverse effects are most commonly experienced when starting a new medication or increasing the dose, however they may occur at any time in treatment and may be a cause of substantial distress or discomfort to the individual. If your loved one is not adhering to their medication regimen because of adverse effects, do encourage them to talk with their doctor to determine whether a change in strength or timing of dose, or an alternative medication might alleviate or minimize the problem to a tolerable level.
Negotiate to reduce harm during risky behaviors (gambling, excessive spending, drug abuse, reckless driving) Keep children, disabled people, and other vulnerable people away so that the antics do not disturb them Speaking with your loved one’s medical health clinician, or calling an ambulance or suicide hotline if they are at risk of harming themselves or others
Criticism and critical people are common bipolar triggers. If you live with your family member you could remove substances such as alcohol from the home. You could also attempt to foster a relaxing environment by controlling lighting, music, and energy levels.
One way to show that you care is by simply letting your family member know that you are there for them, and you want to be supportive of their recovery. You can also offer to listen to them if they want to talk about their illness.
Give up control. It is important to understand and remind yourself (either aloud or in your mind) that you cannot control your family member’s behaviors. They have a condition that you cannot fix. Shift your attention to focusing on your own needs. For example, you could make a list of your own personal goals and begin working toward them. Use coping resources. Coping resources are specific ways to cope with a particular issue, and they are vital to self-care. Coping strategies can include activities you enjoy such as reading, writing, art, music, outdoor activities, exercise or sports. Therapeutic activities can also assist self-care including relaxation techniques (such as progressive muscle relaxation), meditation, keeping a journal, mindfulness, and art therapy. Another way to cope is to create distance or remove yourself from stressful situations when they arise.
Bipolar I is evidenced by a person experiencing manic episodes that typically last a week or longer. Some symptoms of a manic episode include: heightened/irritable mood, exaggerated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity, and engaging in risky behaviors (such as gambling or having unprotected sex with multiple partners). Bipolar II is evidenced by at least one major depressive episode as well as a least one hypomanic episode (similar to a manic episode, but less severe and can last as little as four days).
If a family member believes that the person with bipolar has control over their illness this can lead to feelings of burden and dissatisfaction with the relationship.
