Bipolar disorder results in extreme mood swings from feeling energetic or overly enthusiastic during one period to feeling deeply saddened or depressed at another time. The wild mood swings make it difficult for people to understand what is happening to a person with bipolar disorder, even when the person is going through treatment. The consequences of the disorder affect the bipolar patient, family, friends and co-workers.
Family Difficulties
A person involved with a bipolar patient may have to deal with the risky behavior the person develops, such as wild spending sprees, during the manic phase of the disorder. There may also be extreme withdrawal that takes place during the depressive mood. These changes can make it difficult to handle and cause a strained relationship, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Even when family members begin to learn about the disorder, helping the person and coping with the situation can cause severe physical and mental exhaustion. This can lead to broken relationships and hardships within the family.
Poor Work Performance
People with bipolar disorder can be easily distracted, jump from one thought to another and act extremely restless. Then, those behaviors can change to severe slowing down, having problems concentrating or making decisions during the depressive stage. The person can go from periods of ambitious plans or goals to decreased energy and prolonged inactivity, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This is difficult for co-workers or employers to deal with or understand. It can also hinder the schoolwork and performance for students with bipolar disorder. Many patients may drop out of school or can no longer go back to work because of the disorder.
Suicidal Tendencies
Thoughts of death or suicide, and even suicide attempts, may occur during the depressive state of bipolar disorder. The person may have developed a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. There may be sexual disinterest or dysfunction. The depressive stage can cause feelings of worry, emptiness, sadness and hopelessness. The person becomes vulnerable to thinking about or considering death.
Getting Treatment
Treatment for bipolar disorder is available, but it may be difficult for the person to accept. Bipolar disorder must be diagnosed in order for the person and the family to realize treatment is necessary. The patient and family members must also understand that bipolar disorder lasts a lifetime. There is no cure, but behaviors can be treated and managed. Family doctors, mental health specialists, hospitals or clinics can tell a person where to go for help. Different therapies and counseling procedures are used in treatment. Medication will also be used. Treatment plans and medications may be changed during different stages of the disorder.
