Supporting Loved Ones with Bipolar Disorder

It had been two days since Cheryl had heard from her son, Brian. Brian, 21 at the time, still lived at home and normally checked in. He had seemed "off" for a couple of weeks. Worried, she called every friend she could think of as well as the hospital and, finally, the city jail. They checked the log, and sure enough, he had been arrested. She paid his bond and waited for him to return home.

Brian arrived home a couple of hours later and seemed tense but euphoric. He proceeded to tell her about the "hell of a day" he'd had. His storytelling was replete with wild gestures and frenetic energy. He claimed to be the king of the city, to have a presidential motorcade, and that his dope wife's family was on their way to Mars. Brian had no idea how long he had been in jail or why he was there, but he was convinced that a presidential pardon was the source of his release.

Brian's erratic behavior continued over the next couple of days, culminating in a video post on Snapchat in which he talked about contemplating suicide. The post was brought to Cheryl's attention and not knowing what else to do, she called the police. He was picked up and taken to the behavioral health ward at the local hospital where he remained for a week.

During the next month, Brian was arrested again and hospitalized for a few weeks due to severe mania. Hoping for a quick release, he signed HIPAA release forms enabling the staff to share his diagnosis with Cheryl — Brian had bipolar disorder. Unfamiliar with the disorder, she was surprised to learn that the onset of bipolar disorder usually occurs around the age of 25, with few symptoms before the first episode.

Brian's physicians worked with them to devise a treatment plan that included medication and therapy. Cheryl joined a bipolar support group to help understand and manage her own feelings about the situation. Eventually, Brian's behavior stabilized, and he was released.

The difficult decisions Cheryl made to protect her son very well may have saved his life. She has helped monitor Brian's medicine to keep him on track with his treatment, and now, two years later, he is employed, leading a full life, and thankful that he got help and is able to control his illness with treatment.

Not every experience with bipolar disorder is as severe as the one described above. Christian Osborn of the Counseling Centers of Michigan states that "People often think they know someone who is bipolar because that person has frequent mood swings. This does not mean they are bipolar. Mood swings are a mood regulation issue, and the moods tend to be short-lived. People who are bipolar have extended episodes of really high �manic' moods and really low �depressed' moods."

According to Dennis Heil, writer of the blog YourBipolarFriend.com, people often underestimate the seriousness of the illness. Not just those suffering from the disorder, but also their friends and loved ones who are trying to understand and be compassionate.

What You Can Do

For the loved ones of someone who is bipolar, there are often feelings of guilt and fear. Support groups or seeking therapy will help you manage your own feelings, learn how to set boundaries for your loved one, and what you might expect in the future.

Because professional help is crucial for someone battling bipolar disorder, as a family member or loved one, you can reinforce the need for treatment, even if they think it isn't needed, and work together with them to stay on track.

Kate Mallow, Bipolar Community Manager at 7 Cups adds, "Living with bipolar disorder can feel isolating, so having the support of family and friends can be vital in maintaining stability. The best thing that family members can do is be non-judgmental and learn about what it means to live with bipolar disorder. It's also helpful for family members to keep a list of resources on hand about what could assist their loved one if they experience a manic or depressive episode. Things like a list of medications their loved one currently takes, phone numbers for their mental health professionals and even having the phone numbers of local crisis lines or emergency services can be important to have at the ready."

Make sure your loved one knows they are not alone. While you may not be able to heal them, your encouragement and commitment to helping them remain healthy will truly make a difference.

For more support, join our empathetic community, chat with a trained online listener, or start affordable online therapy today.

Sources:

BiPolarFriend.com

Counseling Centers of Michigan