If you have ever lived with a person who has a form of bipolar disorder, then you know that there are acute challenges that they face in their everyday lives. There are also many times when their problems can seep into your own life. You’re not alone in this situation. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 6 million adults in the United States suffer from some sort of bipolar disorder. Learning to care and help someone who suffers from bipolar disorder is no easy task, but bipolar can become a very manageable mental disorder if you take logical and empathetic steps.
First of all, it’s important to educate yourself on the effects of bipolar. The good news, if you’re reading this article, is that you are already well on your way to accomplishing this first step! Learning how bipolar disorder works and what specific symptoms your loved one might be experiencing helps you understand what you can do to improve a situation and keep them in a healthy state of mind. When someone you love is diagnosed with bipolar 1 or 2, don’t panic! Instead, pull up the internet and learn what this means for you and them.
Don’t shrug off their concerns
One of the worst things that you can do to a person who is suffering from bipolar is make them feel like their problems don’t matter, because their reactions are being affected by their mental disorder. While bipolar disorders do make people overreact to situations, their feelings are still very real. Don’t try to minimize those feelings and shrug off their concerns. Instead, be patient and talk them what is happening in a clear and logical manner, but while still acknowledging their feelings.
Know that you don’t have to do this on your own There are plenty of resources that can help you and your loved one learn to cope and mitigate the effects of bipolar disorder. Plenty of people live happy and fulfilling lives with a bipolar disorder that hardly weighs them down! Look for professional help today to learn the specific steps you can take to improve you and your loved one’s specific situation and what skills they can develop for their particular type of bipolar disorder.