How to be there for someone living with bipolar disorder: forum discussion!

Hello everyone!

I read interesting articles lately, so I would share this one with you all! (source Healthline)

For the people around someone who has this disorder, emotional shifts like those that are common with BP may seem very unexpected. The highs and lows can take a toll on everyone.

Learning to anticipate and react to these changes can help people with BP, as well as their loved ones, cope with the emotional changes.

Here are a few strategies to keep in mind:

Dont back down: If youve been dealing with these bursts of irritability and anger for a long time, you may be tired and unwilling to put up a fight. Instead, ask your loved one to visit a therapist with you so the two of you can learn ways to communicate more clearly when emotions are high.

Remember that theyre not necessarily angry at you: It can be difficult to not feel that the anger attack is about something you did or said. If you cant pinpoint a reason for their anger, take a step back. Ask them what theyre upset about, and go from there.

Engage in a positive way: Ask your loved one about their experiences. Be willing to listen and be open. Sometimes explaining what theyre experiencing can help your loved one cope better with their swings and communicate better through them.

Look for a community of support: Ask your loved ones doctor or therapist for recommendations for groups you could join or professionals you could see. You need support too.

Monitor medication compliance: The key to treatment for BP is consistency. Help ensure that your loved one is taking medicine and other treatments when and how theyre supposed to.

Now some questions to someone experiencing bipolar:

Do you think that good communication with someone close to you can be of help? How?

How would you encourage your loved one to have an healthy communication with you?

What would be a wrong way to communicate with you?

Here some questions for those having care for someone experiencing bipolar:

What would you do to improve the communication/interaction with your loved one?

What would you do to keep yourself in balance with emotions/feelings to better care for them?

List 2 positive things (or more if you want!) about your relationship with them!

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