When people with bipolar have support from family and friends, they tend to recover quicker, have milder symptoms, and experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, according to HelpGuide.org. Unfortunately, many family members have difficulty providing this much needed support because they are not sure how to cope themselves. However, although coping with family members with bipolar disease is a difficult process, there are things that can be done to make it easier.
Step 1
Educate yourself. In order to effectively cope with your family member, you are going to need to understand as much as you can about the disorder. Learn to recognize the symptoms of both the manic and depressive sides of the disorder, as well as the various treatment options available.
Step 2
Separate the behavior from the person. Although your family member may say or do things you things that make you cringe, remember that it is usually the disorder that is causing that behavior and not the person. Although you can dislike the disease and the behavior, continue to love and appreciate the person.
Step 3
Accept the person's limits. Just as if you wouldn't expect a newborn baby to walk, it's unrealistic to expect a person suffering from bipolar to always act appropriately or rationally. Recognize the behavior is occurring because he or she is emotionally incapable of acting otherwise at that moment. Although it may be difficult, try not to take the other person's words or behaviors personally.
Step 4
Know your own limits. It may be important to you to help your family member, but it's just as important that you take care of yourself as well. If your family member is saying or doing hurtful things towards you, you have every right to remove yourself from the situation.
Step 5
Have a separate life. Keep your own friendships, hobbies, goals and dreams. Relaxation and stress-relieving activities can also be very beneficial. Positive experiences like these will help you feel more balanced and will rejuvenate you to better be able to handle the difficulties that come with having a family member with bipolar.
Step 6
Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Although you may hope it will never come to this, there is a possibility that your family member may create a dangerous situation. Talk to a doctor or mental health professional to create a crisis plan to be prepared for this possibility. This should include a list of phone numbers of people to call in the event of an emergency, as well as nearby hospitals that you could take your family member to if necessary.
Step 7
Seek your own support. You may focus so much on supporting your family member, that you forget to support yourself. Talking to friends or family, seeking therapy, or joining a support group can provide you an outlet for your feelings, and it can help you to cope more efficiently.
Step 8
Encourage the person to get treatment. Dealing with a family member with bipolar can always be difficult, but particularly when the person isn't in treatment. Although getting a person suffering from bipolar into treatment can be difficult, therapy and medication can go a long way at helping the person stabilize emotions.
Step 9
Be patient and realistic. Unfortunately, managing bipolar is a lifelong process. Although medication and treatment can go a long way, you need to be realistic and recognize that there most likely will be future setbacks and struggles. However, accepting the difficulties of the illness, focusing on the positive, and taking it one day at a time will help make your journey with your family member down the road of recovery much easier.
Tips and Warnings
- Often, when one family member is suffering from bipolar disorder, the entire family is affected. If this is the case for you, consider if getting your entire family into group therapy could be beneficial.
- If your family member ever becomes violent or suicidal, call 911 immediately.
