A person with bipolar disorder alternates between bleak depression and giddy mania. Someone who is depressed is preoccupied with feelings of guilt and, often, thoughts of death, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Someone who is manic may exhibit a decreased need for sleep, impulsive behavior and inappropriate laughter. It is not uncommon for a bipolar person to feel suicidal one week and ready to conquer the world the next. For friends and family members of bipolar sufferers, effective communication may be the greatest challenge to their relationship.
Step 1
Learn everything you can about bipolar disorder. Read websites and books that help you understand what is going on in your loved one's brain. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is an extensive resource for researching psychiatric disorders and finding treatment.
Step 2
Keep the stimulation level low. Being loud, accusatory or critical is particularly devastating to a person destabilized by bipolar disorder, according to Healthyplace.com.
Step 3
Reiterate to the person as often as possible that you love him and want what's best for him. Let him know you are on his side, want him to be happy and healthy, and will stick by him no matter how "crazy" he may feel. Remind him that how he is feeling can and will change.
Step 4
Ask what you can do to help, both in the moment and long-term.
Step 5
Keep your sentences short, clear, direct and focused on the present and the topic at hand. Do not bring up past behavior or try to engage the person in extensive analysis of her problem.
Step 6
Take care of yourself first and foremost. Do not be afraid to walk away from a situation momentarily if you find yourself becoming angry or frustrated. Keep the boundary between yourself and your bipolar loved one clear and defined. You cannot be helpful to anyone else if you do not first help yourself.
Things You'll Need
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