Supporting someone with bipolar disorder means offering stability, consistency, and practical help through mood shifts.
In depressive phases, focus on gentle support.
Remind your loved one to prioritizeself-care, like drinking water and maintaining regular sleep routines to support mood regulation.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Encourage them to discuss any side effects with their healthcare provider.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Your support might look a little different depending on your loved one’s emotional state.
Offer a quiet, tidy space where they can relax and do soothing activities like coloring or journaling.
Communicate with them in a gentle, reassuring tone, and discourage impulsive plans that might overstimulate them.
Spend quality time together.People experiencing manic episodes often feel isolated and misunderstood.
Have honest conversations.Talk to your loved one about how they are feeling.
Use a gentle, steady tone and avoid intense conversations or debates that can escalate their energy.
Be honest with them.
Validate their feelings but do not reinforce unrealistic or impulsive ideas.
Prepare easy-to-eat meals.People experiencing mania may have a hard time sitting down to complete a meal.
Try preparing simple foods and drinks that are ready on demand and don’t take too long to eat.
Encourage rest.Regular, consistentsleep habitsare crucial for mood regulation.
Promote rest by discouraging too much screen time, and opting for soft music or reading instead.
Keep important phone numbers on you at all times.
Show them they can share their challenges with you.
Avoid pushing them or insisting they complete these tasks, as this can drive them away.
attempt to create a calm and clean environment where they can relax and focus on self-care.
Offer them a reassuring voice, listening ear, and soothing presence to help them feel less isolated.
This could include watching a light-hearted movie together or taking a short walk through a nature park.
Be patient with their pace; avoid pressuring them to move too quickly toward recovery.
Celebrate small victories, like getting out of bed or completing anexercise routine.
Monitor for signs of crisis.Be alert for signs ofsuicidal behaviorsand ideations.
This includes expressions of hopelessness, saying they feel like a burden, or talking about self-harm.
Gently remind them to take their prescribed medication and attend therapy sessions.
If they seem resistant, don’t push them.
Instead, encourage them to discuss their feelings with their therapist or healthcare provider.
Who Is the Best Support for Bipolar Disorder?
The best support for someone with bipolar disorder is a qualified therapist with experience treating individuals with this condition.
Use reaffirming words to show your loved one you care.
In life-threatening situations, call911immediately.
Before you could take care of anyone else, you must first take care of yourself.
see to it to show them that you do not blame them by concentrating on how you are feeling.
Set consequences for overstepping these boundaries and follow through on them.
However, do not use these boundaries as a form of punishment.
Remember that it is a biological illness and your loved one cannot control their symptoms.
Express your feelings clearly in a way that is gentle but firm.
This is especially important during manic or depressive episodes, when stress levels may be higher.
Practice self-care.Self-care strategies can improve your health and well-being, and help reduce stress and fatigue.
Key strategies include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
These practices support both physical and mental wellness.
These episodes typically fall into three categories: manic, hypomanic, and depressive.
Summary
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder can look different depending on your loved one’s emotional state.
Supporting your loved one also involves taking care of yourself.
It is not uncommon to feel stressed and worried when your loved one has bipolar disorder.
double-check you get the help and support that you need.
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