Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a disorder of the brain that leads to changes in mood, activity, energy, ability to live and work every day. Although nearly 6 million American adults have it, like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. They often say someone is "bipolar" if the person exhibits any mood swings, but in reality the criteria for diagnosing bipolar are much stricter. There are many types of bipolar disorder, all of them serious, but they can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. If you want to help people with bipolar disorder, you should find out more information in the article below.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Understanding Bipolar Disorder

1. 

   
   
   Notice the unusual "mood state" irritability. That's when your mood swings quickly and is much different from normal. In folklore speaking this state is called "mood swings". People with bipolar disorder change mood very quickly, or may change mood very infrequently.
   • There are two basic states of mood: extreme elevation or mania and extreme inhibition or depression. The patient may also experience moods interleavingThis means that the signs of mania and depression are occurring at the same time.
   • Between these two mood states, a person with bipolar disorder also experiences a period of "normal" mood.

2. 

   
   
   Up to date information on types of bipolar disorder. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder commonly diagnosed as follows: Bipolar Type 1, Bipolar Type 2, Unknown Bipolar Disorder, and Cyclic Emotional Disorder. Each type of bipolar disorder is diagnosed based on the severity and duration of the illness, as well as the rate of change between mood states. You cannot diagnose the disease on your own, nor should you try to have it done by a mental health professional.
   • Type 1 bipolar disorder presents with a manic or mixed mood lasting at least seven days. The sick person can become overly excited, putting them in real danger, requiring immediate medical attention. Depression also occurs and usually lasts for at least two weeks.
   • Type 2 bipolar disorder manifests itself in a lighter mood. Hypomania is a state in which the patient feels very "enthusiastic", works especially effectively and performs well in daily tasks. If left untreated this can develop into overly manic mood. The mood of depression in type 2 bipolar is also milder than in type 1 bipolar.
   • Unknown bipolar disorder (BP-NOS) is diagnosed when symptoms of bipolar disorder exist, but they do not meet the rigorous diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5 (Statistical and Diagnostic Handbook Mental Diseases). These symptoms are not yet typical for the patient's basic or “normal” mood range.
   • Cyclic emotional disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Manic episodes alternate with episodes of mild and short depression.This condition must last a minimum of 2 years to satisfy the diagnostic criteria.
   • People with bipolar disorder may also experience a "rapid cycle" condition, meaning they experience 4 or more mood states in a 12-month cycle. The fast-changing cycle seems to affect women more than men, and it can come and go.

3. 

   
   
   How to recognize mania. This state of mind manifests differently from person to person. However, that mood rises or "heats up" much faster from the patient's basic or "normal" emotional state. Some symptoms of manic mood include:
   • Feeling extremely happy, happy or excited. People who are experiencing this mood feel very "bustling" or happy, to the point where bad news cannot affect their mood at the time. Feelings of extreme happiness even persisted for unknown reasons.
   • Overconfident, feeling unable to be hurt, delusions of self-esteem. The person going through this state has a very large ego or a much higher self-esteem than usual. They believe they can get things done, as if nothing were stopping them, or imagine having special connections to important characters or supernatural phenomena.
   • Angry, unexpected anger. People in a manic state can get angry at others without being provoked, they are more easily "touched" or angry than in the "normal" mood.
   • Increased dynamism. The person wants to take on multiple tasks at the same time, or schedule more tasks in a day that cannot be technically completed. They engage in many activities, including seemingly purposeless activities without eating or sleeping.
   • Say more, disjoint words, hasty thinking. During mania, people often have difficulty summarizing thoughts even though they talk a lot at this time. They often rush from thought or action to thought and action.
   • Feeling restless or agitated. The patient feels agitated or irritable, and is easily distracted.
   • Sudden increased risky behavior. Patients can do things that are unusual from their normal boundaries and lead to risks, such as unsafe sex, insatiable shopping, or gambling. In addition, they can also participate in high-risk physical activities such as racing, extreme sports or trying to set a sports record, which they are not qualified to achieve.
   • Get less sleep. They slept very little but insisted they had enough rest. Many times they suffer from insomnia or simply feel like they don't need sleep.

4. 

   How to recognize depression. Manic episodes make people with bipolar disorder feel like they are “on top of the world”, whereas depression creates feelings of being crushed in a deep abyss. Each person has different symptoms, but there are a few things you should look out for:
   • Endless feelings of sadness and disappointment. Just like the feeling of happiness or euphoria during a manic episode, this feeling of sadness seems to have no cause. The sick person feels frustrated or helpless regardless of whether you try to encourage them.
   • Loss of pleasure. The patient is no longer interested in what they used to like to do. Less libido is also.
   • Tired. Usually people with major depression feel tired all the time, and they complain of body aches.
   • His sleeping habits suddenly changed. During a depressive episode, their "normal" sleep habits suddenly change in some way. Some sleep too much while others sleep too little. Whether it is a little or a lot of sleep, that habit is much different from their "normal" level.
   • Change the taste. Depressed people may lose weight or gain weight, they tend to overeat or not eat enough. This depends on each person, but importantly, there has been a change in the "normal" habits of the patient.
   • Difficulty concentrating. Depression makes it difficult for patients to concentrate, even to make small decisions. They feel lethargic every time they go into depression.
   • Suicidal thoughts or actions. You should not assume that the patient's suicidal thoughts or intentions are just to "draw attention," since suicide is a real risk to someone with bipolar disorder. Call emergency services right away if your loved one has suicidal thoughts or intentions.

5. 

   Read lots of literature about bipolar disorder. Checking out this article is a great first step, but the more you know about bipolar disorder the more you can help your loved one. Here are some resources you should check out:
   • The National Institute of Mental Health is a great place to start learning about bipolar disorder, its symptoms and causes, its treatment options and how to live with it.
   • The Depression and Bipolar Disorder Alliance provides documentation for individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones.
   • Marya Hornbacher's memoir with the title Madness: A Bipolar Life Talk about the author's lifelong fight against bipolar disorder. Memoirs of Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison An Uneasy Soul Talk about the life of an author as a scientist at the same time suffering from bipolar disorder. While everyone experiences this disease differently, these books can help you understand what your loved one is going through.
   • Bipolar Disorder: A Handbook for the Patient and the Family is a book by Dr. Frank Mondimore. It is also a good reference (not only useful for the patient but also for yourself).
   • Book Bipolar Disorder Handbook by Dr. David J. Miklowitz aims to help the patient, how to deal with bipolar disorder.
   • Book A Guide to Living Well with Depression and Hunger-Depression Mary Ellen Copeland and Matthew McKay aim to help patients maintain a stable mood with a variety of exercises.

6. 

   Dismiss common myths about mental illness. People with a mental illness are often considered "wrong" by others. It is thought that this disease can "get rid of" if the patient "really tries" or "thinks more positively". Actually, these ideas are not correct. Bipolar disorder is a combination of complex interacting factors, including genetics, brain structure, physical imbalances in the body, and social and cultural pressures. People with bipolar disorder cannot "stop" getting sick, but it can be treated.
   • Consider how you talk to someone with another medical condition, such as cancer. Do you ask them, "Have you ever tried to cure cancer?". So it is not right to tell someone with bipolar disorder "let's try harder".
   • There is a fairly common misconception that bipolar disease is a rare disease, in fact there are about 6 million adult Americans with various types of bipolar disorder. Even famous actors like Stephen Fry, Carrie Fisher and Jean-Claude Van Damme have been open about the bipolar disorder they have.
   • Many times people even think manic or depressed mood is "normal", even good. It is true that everyone has good days and bad days, but bipolar disorder causes mood swings and is much more harmful than "mood swings" on "bad days". The disease disrupts the ability to live and work in life.
   • Also, people often confuse schizophrenia with bipolar disorder. They are completely different even though they share a few symptoms (eg depression). Bipolar disorder is primarily characterized by a variation between extreme mood states. Schizophrenia often causes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and speech confusion, which is almost absent in bipolar disorder.
   • Many people believe that people with bipolar disorder or depression are dangerous to those around them, while the media has misinformed to motivate this view.In fact, research shows that they absolutely do not act more violent than ordinary people. However, people are more inclined to think about or commit suicide.
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Method 2 of 3: Talking to the Patient

1. 

   Avoid using hurtful language. Some people like to joke that they are "psychotic" even if they don't have any mental illness. Such a way of saying not only gives false information, but also inadvertently trivializes the actual experiences that the infected person has. So be careful when discussing mental illness.
   • You need to remember that people are a combination of many different abilities, in addition to defects like illness. Therefore, we must not say such neat statements as "I think you are bipolar". Instead, say, "I think you have bipolar."
   • When you call someone "is" their disease, you unintentionally devalue them to a single constituent component. This exacerbates the stigma that often accompanies mental illness, even if you don't mean it.
   • Try to avoid comforting the sick person by saying "I'm a bit bipolar" or "I understand how you feel", this expression does a lot of harm because it only makes them feel that you don't take the disease seriously. sufficiency.

2. 

   Talk about your concerns with the sick person. You may worry because you are afraid that speaking out will upset them, but you really should tell them your thoughts because it helps. Avoid Talking about mental illness is unintentionally upholding the bad reputation that often accompanies the illness, and encouraging the sufferer to mistake them for being "bad" or "useless", to feel ashamed of being sick. When you approach you need to have an open, sincere, and understanding attitude.
   • Reassure the sick person that you are always there. Bipolar disorder makes people feel very alone, so let the person know that you are there for support with all your might.
   • Admit their illness is real. It's not a good idea to try to look down on the symptoms your loved one has, as it doesn't make them feel any better. Instead of telling them the disease "nothing to fear", you should admit its seriousness but at the same time confirm the disease is completely treatable. Example: “I know you are sick because it is making you do things that you are not myself. But we can find a solution ”.
   • Convey love and acceptance to the sick person. Especially during times of depression, they tend to believe that they are useless and cruel. You need to reconcile those negative beliefs by showing love and acceptance for the person who is sick. Example: “You are very important to me. I'm always worried about you and that's why I want to help you ”.

3. 

   Use the term "Sister" or other appropriate expressions to convey your feelings of closeness and love. When you talk, it is important not to show that you are criticizing or judging them. The mentally ill person easily feels like the whole world is against them, so act on your side.
   • For example, you could say, "I care about you and I find worrying issues."
   • There are some imposing statements that you should avoid. For example, you should avoid saying things like "I'm just trying to help you" or "I need to listen to me."

4. 

   Avoid threats and blame. You may be concerned about the person's health and need to help them "in any way possible". However, you absolutely should not use exaggerating, threatening, "blaming" or blaming expressions to force them to seek medical attention. Saying so only makes them believe that you see something "wrong" in them.
   • Avoid statements like "I'm worrying you" or "My behavior is weird", they may sound accusatory and make the other party shrink.
   • Joking around with the other person's guilt is also not beneficial. Do not use the relationship as a lever to force the person to see a doctor, such as saying “If you really love me, you have to see a doctor” or “Think about what I'm doing with our family” . People with bipolar disorder often struggle against feelings of shame and worthlessness, so this expression only aggravates the situation.
   • Avoid threats. You cannot force someone to do what you want. You will only stress the person if you say things like, "If you don't go to the doctor, I'll let you go" or "I wouldn't buy a car for you if you didn't go to the doctor," the tension could do. negative mood arises.

5. 

   Shaping the talk focused on health. Some people do not want to accept that there is a problem. When people with bipolar are in manic episodes, they feel very "excited", so it is not easy to accept the problem. On the contrary, when they are in a depressed mood, they realize that they are not good but do not see any hope of successful treatment. You should present your concerns in terms of health topics.
   • For example, you can repeat your view that bipolar disorder is just a disease like diabetes or cancer. You want them to see bipolar just like you would encourage them to go for cancer treatment.
   • If the person is still reluctant to accept that he or she is sick, you can suggest that they see a doctor for a symptom, not a "disorder". For example, if you suggest going to the hospital for insomnia or fatigue it may be easier to convince them to go to hospital.

6. 

   Encourage the sick person to share feelings and experiences. During conversation you tend to turn your concerns into a lecture in front of the sick person. To avoid this, invite them to share their feelings and thoughts. Remember: although you may be affected by their disorder, the point is to help them, not you.
   • For example, after sharing your concerns, you should say "Do you want to share your current thoughts?" or "Now that you've heard what I mean, what do you think?"
   • Don't assume you know how the other person feels. To reassure others it is easy to say "I know how you feel", but in reality it sounds very arbitrary. You should say something that acknowledges the person's own feelings without implying it as already known: "Now I understand why it makes you sad."
   • If the person resists and does not accept that he or she is ill, it should not be argued. You can call your loved one to see a doctor, but you can't force it to happen.

7. 

   Do not dismiss the patient's thoughts and feelings because they think it is "untrue" or not worth considering. Even if this emotion takes place during a depressive episode, it is very real to the bystander. Therefore, bluntly dismissing the person's feelings makes them unable to share their thoughts in the future. Instead, you must take the patient's feelings seriously and cope with negative thoughts together.
   • For example, if the person thinks that no one loves them and that they are a "bad" person, say the following: “I know you feel that way, I'm sorry for those feelings. But I want you to know that I love you, you are a good person and always care about others ”.

8. 

   Convince the patient to seek screening. Depression and depression are two hallmarks of bipolar disorder. There is a screening test for mania and depression on the website of the Depression and Bipolar Disorders Alliance.
   • The test is confidential and can be done at home, reducing the stress on the sick person and helping them realize their need for treatment.

9. 

   Emphasize the role of the specialist in treatment. Bipolar disorder is a very serious disease that, if left untreated, can become severe. You must persuade your loved one to see a doctor immediately.
   • The first step is to see a general practitioner. It is the person who decides whether or not the person needs to see a psychiatrist.
   • Mental health professionals often use psychotherapy in treatment plans.There are many types of mental health professionals who can provide psychotherapy, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses or licensed health professionals, and counselors. through training. You can ask your doctor or hospital to refer you to a specialist.
   • If it is determined that medication is necessary, the patient should see a psychiatrist or a psychiatrist for a prescription, and medical staff and counselors can provide psychotherapy but cannot prescribe medication .
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Method 3 of 3: Supporting the sick

1. 

   Understand that bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Combining drug therapy and psychotherapy has a huge positive effect, with many patients significantly improving their mood and ability to work and live. However, there is no "cure" for the disease, and symptoms can return throughout life. In general, you should be patient with your loved one.

2. 

   Proactively help. During a depressive episode, a person feels it is almost impossible to bear the world around him. At this point you should ask what you can do for them. You can even give specific suggestions if you know what is most likely to affect your loved one.
   • For example, you could say, “It seems like you've been very stressed out lately. Can I babysit for you to keep you free tonight? ”
   • If the person is experiencing severe depression, offer some pastime. You should not consider them a vulnerable and inaccessible person, just because they are sick. If you realize that they are struggling with depressive symptoms (mentioned in this article), do not make a big deal and simply say: “I think you are quite concerned this week, do you want to go to the movies. with me? "

3. 

   Keep track of symptoms. Monitoring the patient's symptoms is very helpful. First, they help you and the sick person know the signs of a mood state, and are a useful source of information for a doctor or mental health professional. Second, you will find out what drives the mania or depression.
   • Warning signs of mania include: sleeping less, feeling excited, easily irritable, restless and restless, and an increased level of activity.
   • Warning signs of depression include: fatigue, disturbed sleep habits (sleeping more or less), difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in things that used to be liked, withdrawal from social activities, change the taste.
   • The Depression and Bipolar Disorder Supporting Alliance provides a personal calendar to track symptoms. You should try it because it can be helpful for the sick person.
   • Triggers for these moods include stress, substance abuse and lack of sleep.

4. 

   Check the patient's medication status. Gentle reminders can be beneficial for some people, especially when they're in a manic phase, where their temperament becomes erratic or forgetful. Sometimes the person thinks that he or she is getting better, so he stops taking the medicine. You help the patient keep the course of treatment but must not speak the accusatory tone.
   • For example, "Did you take your medicine today?" is a perfectly fine question.
   • If they say they feel better, remind them of the benefits of the drug: “I'm glad you got better. I think the main reason is the medicine. If so, do I think it is necessary to continue taking medicine? ”
   • It takes weeks to take effect, so be patient if your symptoms do not seem to decrease.

5. 

   Encourage them to stay healthy. In addition to taking medication and seeing a therapist regularly, taking care of your physical health also helps relieve symptoms. People with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of obesity. You should encourage them to eat healthy, exercise regularly and moderate, and sleep properly.
   • Patients with bipolar disorder often report unhealthy eating habits, including skipping daily meals or eating unhealthy foods. Promote a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates like beans and whole grains, lean meats, and fish.
     • Eating omega-3 fatty acids may help combat the symptoms of bipolar disease. Some studies show that omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to reduce depression, especially fatty acids in fish living in cold water. Fish like salmon, tuna and vegetarian foods like walnuts and flax seeds are good sources of omega-3s.
     • Convince the patient to avoid consuming a lot of caffeine. Caffeine can trigger undesirable symptoms in people with bipolar disorder.
   • Convince the sick person to avoid drinking alcohol. Patients with bipolar disorder are five times more likely to abuse alcohol and other substances than ordinary people. Alcohol is a depressant and can lead to a state of severe depression, and it also interferes with the effects of some drugs.
   • Regular exercise in moderation, especially exercises that increase the heart rate, help improve mood and overall health of bipolar patients. But the most important thing is that patients must exercise regularly, because most of them often have a habit of exercising lazy.

6. 

   Take care of yourself. Friends and relatives of patients with bipolar disorder also need to care for themselves. You cannot help anyone if you are exhausted and too stressed.
   • Research shows that if the caregiver is stressed, it will be difficult for the patient to pursue the treatment itself. Taking care of yourself is about helping your loved one.
   • Support groups can help you learn how to cope with bipolar disorder that your loved one has. In the United States, the Depression and Bipolar Disorder Alliance offers online support groups and local groups. The National Coalition for Mental Illness also has many such programs.
   • Remember to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. If you have such healthy habits, then people are more inclined to follow it to stay healthy.
   • Take action to reduce stress. Know your limits and ask for help when you need it. Activities like meditation and yoga can be helpful in reducing restlessness.

7. 

   Notice your suicidal actions and thoughts. Suicide is a real risk for people with bipolar disorder. They are more likely to think about or commit suicide than people with severe depression. If someone close to you mentions suicide, even if it's just over-the-air, you must find a way to help them immediately. Such actions or thoughts should not be made a secret.
   • If the person is in immediate danger, you must call an ambulance right away.
   • Ask the patient to call the emergency room if they have suicidal thoughts, or if in the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Line (1-800-273-8255).
   • Reassure the sick person that you love them so much that their lives are meaningful, even though they may not feel like this now.
   • You shouldn't ask them not to feel this or that, because feelings are real and they cannot be changed. Instead, focus on actions they have control over. Example: “I realize this is very difficult for you, I'm glad you said it. You just keep saying your thoughts. I'm here to help you ”.
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Advice

• Bipolar disorder is like any other mental illness, it's no one's fault. Neither of the sick nor yours. Be kind and sympathetic to the sick person.
• Don't do everything just because of that disease. People often have the thought of treating patients gently like children, or doing everything for the benefit of the patient. Remember that their lives are not only about illnesses, but also their interests, passions and emotions. Let them have fun and enjoy their life.

Warning

• People with bipolar disorder have a high risk of suicide. If a friend or relative has this disease and they begin to mention suicide, then you must take those words seriously, and seek immediate psychiatric treatment for them.
• If they are in a crisis then you should call a medical professional or the suicide hotline before calling the police. There have been incidents of asking the police to intervene in the case of a mentally ill patient, resulting in injury or even death. Call for the help of someone with expertise and training if possible in dealing with a mentally ill person.