A person with bipolar disorder faces numerous challenges that may be helped in a variety of ways. Loved ones of those with this condition often find coping with bipolar nearly as difficult because instability in mood is unpleasant to handle and life-threatening to the person they love. Some coping tips for the bipolar disorder sufferer are to learn about bipolar, understand personal disease expression, maintain a medication regimen and regular contact with a psychiatrist, pursue therapy, and possibly participate in support groups. Those close to someone with bipolar may benefit from education, therapeutic support, and support groups as well.
Many people find coping with bipolar disorder easier if they understand the disease. Ideally, psychiatrists and therapists offer initial instruction, but this is seldom enough. Fortunately, there are numerous books with advice on the subject.
Bipolar for Dummies is particularly helpful for individuals and family members, since it is co-authored by the spouse of a woman with the condition and a doctor. Education of this type gives people the power to fully participate in treatment decisions which may help alleviate feelings that a person is merely a victim of an illness. Getting educated through books is also advised for family members and provides useful tips on how to help loved ones who are ill. Additionally, there are a number of online resources, but these aren’t always accurate; the best resources are reviewed by doctors or mental health clinicians.
People must learn the way their bodies individually respond to this illness because symptom expression is variable and can’t be fully predicted by doctors or from books. Family members or disease sufferers can keep a symptoms journal to determine when the disease reaches unstable points. Ideally, with the right medicines, people may reach stability and remain stable for years, but there are inevitable destabilizations. In addition to journaling, it can be helpful to work with a knowledgeable therapist to recognize and avoid ignoring the beginning of mood swings. Early intervention occasionally avoids full-blown mood destabilization episodes, which is of benefit to the bipolar sufferer and loved ones.
Most people will find coping with bipolar completely unsuccessful without psychiatrist support and med compliance. The educated bipolar sufferer knows that psychiatric care and medication are standard treatment for the illness. Unfortunately, sometimes clinicians are not supportive of patients becoming educated. Whenever possible, shopping for a psychiatrist who supports a true partnership and patient participation is advised.
Denial of or shame about bipolar is one of the biggest impediments to treatment. It’s strongly recommended that people work with a therapist to address shame and to process the grief of suffering from a chronic condition. Many people with bipolar also have underlying psychodynamic issues that, when addressed, make coping with bipolar a little easier. Loved ones may be helped by therapy too, since some many feel they caused this condition or supporting someone who is very ill creates high stress levels. Sometimes family or couple therapy can address these issues together.
Support groups for bipolar disorder aren’t widely available. Some online groups exist, but many are peer-led and vary in quality. Looking for groups through agencies like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is probably the best bet. When available, such groups can be useful in coping with bipolar for individuals or loved ones. Sharing personal difficulties of this challenging disease with others may help people feel less isolated.
