When a family member is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it usually affects everyone in the household. It’s challenging at times, so it’s important to understand the family’s role in supporting the person. Seeing a loved one experience the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be upsetting. However, you can offer help in several significant ways while also taking care of yourself. You can show your support by:

• prioritizing their well-being,
• offering support,
• educating yourself about bipolar,
• encouraging them to see a mental health professional,
• recognizing their boundaries,
• listening to them without judging,
• being ready to help during mood swings,
• helping to provide a stable environment, and
• helping them accomplish everyday tasks when necessary.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The predominant symptom of bipolar disorder is extreme mood changes. The individual will have either:

These moods typically last a few days or weeks at a time. Usually, a person with BD will have periods where their mood is stable and they have no symptoms. This may last for weeks, months, or years.

How to Approach a Loved One About Bipolar Disorder

Being available to talk and listen to your loved one’s experiences can help them feel accepted and supported. You should try to:

• Let them know you want to understand their situation, instead of trying to fix it for them.
• Ask questions to try to learn more about how they feel. “What’s it like to have bipolar?” or “What do you want me to understand about it?” are questions you could try.
• Don’t minimize their experience by saying something like, “Everyone has tough times now and then.” This just shows that you haven’t been listening and don’t understand.
• Learn their triggers and warning signs. Most people experience warning signs that they’re about to have a mood episode. Sometimes, stress can trigger an episode.
• Talk to your family member about their warning signs.
• Tell them if you’ve noticed behavior that frequently precedes an episode.
• Understanding their triggers can help you avoid or manage them.

The Importance of Educating Yourself About Bipolar Disorder

If you want to help a family member with bipolar, it’s important to educate yourself on the topic because:

• Learning to identify symptoms: It helps you understand the symptoms better, allowing for early detection.
• Reducing stigma: Understanding bipolar disorder helps dispel myths and promotes empathy for sufferers.
• Supporting loved ones: You’ll be able to provide appropriate support and understanding
• Advocating for care: Knowledge enables you to advocate for support services and improve the quality of life for your family members.

Encouraging Professional Treatment and Therapy

To encourage someone to get professional treatment for bipolar disorder, you can:

• Discuss your concerns
  Openly and honestly, let them know you’re worried about them and want to help.
• Treatment benefits
  Point out the benefits of treatment in improving their quality of life, relationships, and their general ability to function.
• Offer practical help
  Offer to help them research to find a qualified mental health professional, set appointments, and go with them if necessary.
• Educate yourself
  Learn about the treatment options and the importance of regular care
• Actively listen
  Create a safe place for them to share their feelings and struggles without minimizing their experiences.
• Focus on goals
  Talk about how treatment will help them achieve their goals
• Don’t blame or criticize
  Concentrate on the illness, not the person, and don’t use language that accuses them
• Consequences

Discuss the consequences of not getting treatment–the impact of untreated bipolar disorder on their work, relationships, and general well-being.

Supporting Your Family Member During Manic and Depressive Episodes

During Manic Episodes:

• Maintain calm surroundings–reduce stimulation by keeping the environment calm and quiet
• Encourage sleep–advise them to take short naps or stick to a regular bedtime routine to help them rest
• Simple meals–offer easy-to-eat foods to make sure they’re getting proper nutrition
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Redirect impulsive behavior–discourage large purchases or risky decisions without confrontation
• Gently remind them about medication–remind them to take medications as prescribed
• Avoid arguments–don’t take part in debates or try to reason with them while highly agitated

During Depressive Episodes:

• Time together–provide companionship and let them know you’re there for them
• Low-key activities–suggest low-key activities like taking walks together or watching movies
• Promote self-care–encourage them to practice healthy eating and basic hygiene habits
• Validate them–actively listen and acknowledge their sadness but don’t minimize it
• Offer practical assistance–help with daily tasks like household chores or grocery shopping
• Encourage professional care–gently suggest getting therapy or adjusting medication if symptoms are severe

Creating a Stable and Supportive Home Environment

Providing a home environment that feels stable and safe is an important part that the family can play in supporting your loved one. Studies have shown that maintaining a daily routine helps with mood regulation. Therefore, they may be more able to manage or avoid triggers. What you can do in the home to provide stability include:

• Respect the established sleeping schedules
• Have regular mealtimes
• Keep the basic features of the home the same, such as the furniture
• Encourage an active, healthy way of life
• Avoid having overstimulating social events or unplanned parties in the home without preparing them to attend or not.

Managing Your Own Emotions and Expectations

Nearly 70% of caregivers report being upset about how the bipolar disorder of their loved one has affected their own life and emotional well-being. As much as you want to help them, you need to help yourself too:

• Practice self-care
  Participate in activities that help you relax and recharge like exercise, hobbies, time with friends, and getting enough sleep.
• Prioritize your mental health
  If you’re feeling “caregiver burnout” or overwhelmed, contact professional mental help.
• Set boundaries
  You can’t solve everything so it’s alright to say “no” from time to time.
• Educate yourself
  A good way to manage your expectations is to educate yourself about the triggers, symptoms, and treatment options. This also helps you understand what they’re going through.
• Recognize warning signs
  Being aware of early warning signs will help you be able to offer support quickly.
• Don’t take it personally
  The mood swings are part of the illness, not a personal shot at you.
• Practice patience and empathy
  Provide understanding and support, even during a difficult phase.
• Communicate honestly and openly
  Talk about your concerns for them and your needs respectfully and calmly.
• Get professional support
  To help you manage your emotions and coping mechanisms, consider seeking individual therapy.
• Join a support group
  Talking to other caregivers can provide emotional support and valuable observations.
• Manage your expectations
  Realize that there will be ups and downs and recovery may not be a straight line.
• Encourage treatment
  Always encourage your family member to attend treatment sessions and follow their medication plan.

Remember that you’re not responsible for “curing” them. It’s a mental condition that requires professional treatment. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help and take care of your own mental health.

How to Handle Crisis Situations

The idea of planning for a crisis that you hope won’t happen is not a pleasant thought. But it could be an immense relief if you start to feel a crisis in the future.

Create a plan in case of a crisis. When your loved one is feeling well, try explaining to them about the support you can offer during a mood episode. This will help both of you feel more in control and stable. To create a crisis plan with them:

• Begin by making a note of things that have or haven’t worked previously.
• Agree on code words or signs that they’re struggling. These can be used as a quick way to ask for help if they can’t describe their feelings.
• Make a list of symptoms that signal a crisis.
• Make a list of emergency contacts–doctor, therapist, trusted family members.
• Know what medications and treatments work and which don’t.
• Note who they allow to make decisions for them.
• Know what to do if they’re expressing suicidal thoughts or need help during a manic episode.
• Help them develop coping mechanisms for periods between episodes.
• If they want, help them manage their money while they’re not well.
• Help them stick to a routine. This includes regular meals and sleeping hours.

During a Crisis:

If someone you’re supporting is experiencing a crisis, here are some helpful strategies:

• Remain calm–stay calm and communicate clearly.
• Avoid arguing–don’t argue or debate with them.
• It’s not personal–don’t take what they say or do personally.
• Spend time with them–being with them even for a short time can help them feel less abandoned.
• Make food–prepare them food and drinks that are easy to eat.
• Set boundaries–if they become aggressive or rude, set boundaries and walk away.

Encouraging Medication Adherence and Self-Care

Medication is the foundation of bipolar disorder treatment. People take medications to regulate their moods and avoid relapse. Still, many people with BD will stop taking it. You can help them stay on track by emphasizing the importance of taking their medications as directed. Encourage them to contact their doctor if they’re having unsettling side effects rather than just quitting.

Building a Support Network for Both You and Your Loved One

Ideas for building a social support network include:

• Volunteering – Get involved in a cause that’s important to you.
• Join a gym – This is good for your psychological and physical health.
• Start or join a book club
• Meet your co-workers and neighbors – Get to know some of the people you see regularly.
• Join a professional organization
• Social networking online

Stay connected to friends and family. Also, some sites can provide specialized support.

The Importance of Patience and Long-Term Support

It’s important to be patient because bipolar medication takes time to have an effect. Maintain the medication regimen and allow time. If there’s no improvement, talk to the doctor, but never stop taking it suddenly. Changing medication is common.

It can take years to figure out the best medications or combination of medicines. Most side effects will fade in time, but it’s important to keep the doctor informed. Long-term support and patience are vital because BD treatment can be a long journey of trial and error.

Acqua Recovery Treats BD and Co-Occurring Conditions

Acqua Recovery can be the answer to your dilemma about how to help a family member with bipolar. We are an accredited treatment center in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, experienced in treating addiction and mental issues.

Unfortunately, many people with mental disorders, such as BD, use drugs or alcohol to try to treat their condition themselves. The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 35% of adults who have another mental disorder also have a substance use disorder.

Acqua Recovery can offer a specialized program for treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Our therapists are licensed and experienced addiction specialists, trained in individual, group, and behavioral therapies. Bipolar disorder can be managed for your loved one and for your own peace of mind.  Contact us today.