Monday, March 25, 2024

How To Live With Someone With Bipolar

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What Do You Do To Keep Well

Living with Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Keeping well when you have bipolar is an interesting concept. For some it revolves exclusively around manging moods. For others it means fitting life around moods.

For me, and others like me who are deep into a recovery that seems to be holding, its about keeping an eye, and investing in the things that help us all boost our mental health.

For many, if not most people with bipolar, life and keeping well includes taking medication.

Blogger Tanya said:

The thing I most prioritise with keeping myself well is to be strict in taking my medication. Missing doses or tweaking them without professional help can be devastating.

Again, Im going to buck the trend and say I dont take medication routinely. I took lithium for a decade, and then wanted, once I knew myself and had done my research, to try tapering off. That was eight years ago, and Ive managed it. I did it carefully, over two years, with support, whilst learning other techniques.

Cait agrees:

For 13 years, I took medication, but in the past six months, I’ve been trying to cope without it. So I have to be super careful, and alas, super boring. I don’t drink a lot, I have relatively early nights when I can.

Bipolar can also be triggered by trauma, or other life events and sometimes part of therapy is addressing underlying concerns to get someone to a point where they can start to see a life worth living.

Anna said:

Hannah has a rigid menu:

How To Live With Bipolar Disorder

If it is possible to live well with bipolar disorder, how do you do that? If someone with diabetes needs to maintain a healthy diet, what might the equivalent be for someone with bipolar disorder?

Here Dr. Nelson prefaced his remarks by saying that living with bipolar disorder means educating yourself on the illness, the treatments and the warning signs to heed if you are not doing well. He was also quick to recommend consulting a healthcare provider or licensed clinician.

Look For Evidence Of Perseverance

A powerful indicator of grit and tenacity is when a person persists and never gives up when they really want to achieve a life goal. Look for evidence of them keeping going in spite of enormous difficulties.

Great achievements by scientists and inventors all bear the hallmark of perseverance. We only have to think of Einstein, Edison and Nelson Mandela to get inspiration. The US Department of Education is in no doubt about how grit, tenacity and perseverance will be key success factors for youth in the 21st century.

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What It’s Like To Have Bipolar By People Who Have Bipolar

Around 1% of us will develop bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions.

The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.

Bipolar disorder has been associated with genius and with creativity. It is certainly true that a number of contemporary high achievers and creatives have spoken of their experiences, and throughout history it is possible to recognise bipolar type traits in the artistic, political and academic spheres. But what is it actually like?

I was diagnosed with bipolar in my late teens, in my first year at university. The diagnosis have shaped my adult identity and experiences.

This week I have been collecting answers to four simple questions from a range of people who have bipolar, to demonstrate the range of experiences out there, and some of the things that help.

How Can I Help Myself

Living with Bipolar and Living with Someone Who Is Bipolar ...

The first step is to see a healthcare professional. Explain what exactly is wrong, how your symptoms present, and other parts that seem relevant. Your doctor may prescribe medication, suggest counseling, or a combination of the two.

The first stage of medication is to get the extremes under control. This may require a combination of drugs. Note any side effects and whether your symptoms improve or get worse. Different combinations work for different people, so the first combination may not be the correct one for you. However, most of these drugs require at least a month to work some can take as long as six months to fully take hold. You need to keep taking the medication on a regular basis to ensure the best and quickest route to recovery.

Once your symptoms of bipolar disorder are under control, your doctor will prescribe maintenance doses. To keep your symptoms under control, you need to take these doses as prescribed. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong conditionwhile it may ebb and flow, it will never be completely cured. In addition, you need to take part in any therapy sessions your doctor recommends.

The most important thing is, however, to learn everything you can about your illness. The more you know, the more you can do something about it. Consider taking a mood chart, tracking your mood each day. You can see the signs of progress throughout the month.

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Living With A Partner Who Has Bipolar Disorder Can Present Some Pretty Unique Challenges See How This Couple From Washington State Has Navigated The Sometimes Turbulent Waters

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Living with a spouse diagnosed with bipolar disorder presents unique challenges. The disease involves frequent periods of unpredictable mood swings from being very depressed and withdrawn from family and friendsto periods of mania, anger, fights and risk-taking behaviors. These risky behaviors could include financial misconduct, risky driving, drugs, and alcohol useand at times inappropriate sexual behaviors shares Dr. Inua A Momodu, MD, MPH, MBA, DFAPA, DFAACAP Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

To get the scoop on what its really like, we caught up with Megan and Kyle Amaya. They didnt hold back in describing their journey with bipolar disorder. Megan was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder I almost two years ago, and has been chronicling her mental health journey and mental health activism online in both her account and a channel. Heres their story.

They Experience Emotions On Extra Loud When In A State Of Mania

Although we usually explain mood swings in terms of highs and lows, it is not the case that bipolar individuals feel all great happy things when in a state of mania. Instead, all the emotions one normally experiences are on a more intense setting. Everything comes through louder and it can be very difficult to navigate everyday life with such an intensity.

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First What Is Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition which includes an experience of mood from emotional highs, referred to as mania or hypomania that can last for days to a week, to lows, or a depressed mood which can last for weeks, explains clinical psychologist Dr. Desreen Dudley, PsyD.

According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 5.7 million American adults are currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

There are different types of bipolar disorder, including:

Your thoughts may differ depending on the type of bipolar disorder you live with.

Does someone with bipolar disorder remember what they say? Yes.

Do people with bipolar disorder know what theyre doing? Also yes.

Many people think that a person with bipolar disorder doesnt have any control over themselves or that theyre unable to take care of themselves or function in society. This simply is not true, says Ikaika King, who was diagnosed with bipolar II when he was 17.

In many ways, we think exactly like everyone else most of the time. Its when we have symptoms that things start to go haywire, adds Gabe Howard, author of Mental Illness Is an Asshole and host of Psych Centrals Inside Mental Health podcast.

People with bipolar disorder may face unique challenges as a result of their condition, but theyre fully capable of leading happy, healthy, successful lives.

Tips For Living With Someone With Bipolar

Life with Bipolar: What They Don’t Tell You

Fifteen years ago I lived with my mother, who has bipolar. Having spent a lifetime orchestrating my life around her highs and lows, I knew I faced a challenge.

But I also knew what expect. I knew I had to watch out for sleepless nights that could provide fertile ground for a manic episode, and I knew to watch out when she got too quiet and would spend her days in bed.

I was lucky. Millions of people live with someone who has bipolar and they do not know what to expect and will have to learn as they go along. This article is designed to help you by providing ideas of how to deal with someone who has bipolar.

Whether you are newly married, living with your partner or just moved in with a friend, I hope this advice helps you build a good foundation.

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Helping Them Find Treatment

Be supportive, but avoid being pushy. There are many reasons why a person might hesitate to seek treatment. Focus on being encouraging and positive about your attitude toward getting help.

Offer to help them by driving them to appointments. You might also assist them in locating qualified a doctor or therapist who has experience treating bipolar disorder.

Do Not Focus Solely On Your Partners Illness

Loving someone with bipolar disorder is difficult, but your relationship is so much more than your loved ones disorder. It is easy to forget this when it feels like their illness is consuming your lives, especially when he or she is first diagnosed. If you are married, it is important to remember that you fell in love with this person for a reason, and it wasnt because of their disorder.

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With Communication And Care Bipolar Marriages Can Work

Fred and Kristin Finn, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, describe their marriage as loving and supportive, despite that fact that Kristin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager. Their teenage daughter has also been diagnosed with the disorder.

The pillars of their success, both say, are open communication and predictable schedules. Kristin says carving time out for her own sleep is crucial, as is making time for each other. “We make sure that every Friday night we set aside time for each other,” she says. “Every single Friday night he comes home from work, we turn on some music, we sit, and we talk. My family and friends knownobody calls us during that time period. Nothing can keep us away from our Friday night, because it’s our time to connect.”

For his part, Fred says he would encourage anyone involved with a bipolar patient to educate themselves as much as they can about the disorder. You may not always like what you learn, he warns, but keeping surprises to a minimum makes your relationship easier to navigate. For example, he says, he is worried about the long-term effects of medication on Kristin’s health. And while both his daughter and his wife comply with medication and therapy, neither is symptom-free.

This is a perfectly healthy stance to take, according to Karp. He urges people with bipolar partners to remember what he calls the “four Cs”: I can’t control it I didn’t cause it I can’t cure it. All I can do is cope with it.

What To Expect After Bipolar Disorder Treatment

How to Live with Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing the symptoms early and treating it promptly is necessary to prevent complications such as suicide, homicide and addictions.

Some lifestyle modifications are important in managing bipolar disorder:

  • Treatment compliance is of utmost importance for the patient as well as the caregivers.
  • Always follow a routine for sleep and meals.
  • Talk to your family and friends and ask for their support.
  • Try connecting with other patients and caregivers through social groups.
  • Talk to a licensed medical practitioner about your symptoms.

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What Impact Has Bipolar Had On Your Life

For me this is important because my experience is very unusual. I took antidepressants in my last year of school which, when I arrived at University and took the control of living away from home, helped to induce hypomania.

I was already aware of my mood swings, and studying biomedical sciences. I went to the doctor and said I thought I had bipolar, and he agreed. I had met a superb psychiatrist via student health. Because in my extended Irish family there were a few people who were unusual, and at least two with probable bipolar a working diagnosis was quick.

My school and university experiences were coloured by mood swings. I cycled rapidly between deep depression and hypomania. I ate too much and drank too much, in part because of the medication and in part because of anxiety, and became very obese.

I had some embarrassing moments of drunkenness, self-harm, obnoxiousness and accruing of debt. By the time I felt properly back on an even keel seven years later I had accrued nearly £50,000 of unsecured debt, which its taken a decade to pay back.

So I dont have a house, or a postgraduate degree which Id have liked and which would help now. But. I had my life.

I avoided hospital, thanks to my psychiatrist, brilliant GP, online peer support and carefully nurtured insight. And because I found a sense of purpose through volunteering.

Bipolar can be cruel, as Brian, a man in his 40s describes:

Joan, a mother in her 30s adds:

Blogger Tanya added:

Blogger Anna said:

Find Help & Resources

At Brain Forest Centers, we specialize in treating individuals with bipolar disorder, depression, and ADD/ADHD. Our method of treatment is non-invasive and focuses on rewiring the neuropathways of the brain. We strive to make every patient a superhero by showcasing how they can control their minds. If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with a mental illness, schedule your free consultation with our team. Call 288-9828.

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Be Active In Their Treatment

Treatment for people with bipolar disorder usually consists of many therapy sessions and doctor visits. While you shouldnt necessarily attend these appointments, you can help someone with bipolar disorder by coming with them and then waiting for them until their appointment is over.

These appointments can sometimes seem complicated or scary to people with bipolar disorder. Having someone there who can offer support and talk to them may help reduce any stress or anxiety they may be feeling.

Bipolar Disorder And The Family

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Living with a person who has bipolar disorder can cause stress and tension in the home. On top of the challenge of dealing with your loved ones symptoms and their consequences, family members often struggle with feelings of guilt, fear, anger, and helplessness. Ultimately, the strain can cause serious relationship problems. But there are better ways to cope.

The first step to successfully dealing with bipolar disorder is for families to learn to accept the illness and its difficulties. When youre feeling frustrated or guilty, remember that bipolar disorder isnt anyones fault. Accepting bipolar disorder involves acknowledging that things may never again be normal.

Treatment can make a huge difference for your loved one, but it may not take care of all symptoms or impairments. To avoid disappointment and resentments, its important to have realistic expectations. Expecting too much of your family member can be a recipe for failure. On the other hand, expecting too little can also hinder their recovery, so try to find a balance between encouraging independence and providing support.

Need to talk to someone?

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Bipolar Disorder: Effects On The Family

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by extreme changes in moods. It is an illness that not only affects the individual but their family and friends as well. Living with a person who has bipolar disorder involves learning how to cope with the difficulties that symptoms can create, supporting the person who is ill, and finding effective ways to cope.

Depending on the nature of an individuals illness and how well the illness is managed, the family can be affected in a variety of ways. When mood swings are mild, the family may experience some distress but, over time and with education about mental illness, they can learn to live with the demands of the illness. Caring for someone with more severe symptoms can be very stressful for the family, especially if they are not given the opportunity to develop the skills needed to cope with mental illness. It can be exhausting, especially for families with young children.

Bipolar disorder can impact families in the following ways:
  • Emotional distress such as guilt, grief, and worry

  • Disruption in regular routines

  • Difficulty in maintaining relationships outside the family

  • Health problems as a result of stress

Family members may experience a variety of emotions as they learn to come to terms with having someone who has bipolar disorder. There is no right or wrong way to feel. What is important is how you handle these emotions.

Is Anger A Frequent Occurrence

All too often, angry reactions which may seem to be excessive are a sign that there are underlying issues. Do not think that every person who just snaps and throws his/her weight around mentally and physically is just reacting normally. Everyone has an occasional angry outburst when driving or when things go pear-shaped.

But if this is almost a daily occurrence, then you need to discover why and maybe avoid that person. Too often, anger will escalate to violent and aggressive behavior. You do not want to be near someone who thinks violence can solve personal or global problems.

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