Establising the right frame of mind- Supporting a Friend or Relative (part II)

To support a friend or a relative with bipolar disorder, the first step is to establising empathy and understand the control that the illness has over your friend or relative. Following are a  few important points to keep in mind:

• Your friend or relative probably wants this illness even less than you want him to have it.
• When your friend or relative spews abusive or cutting remarks,  the disorder is talking. Don´t take it personally.
• Taking it personally is normal, so don´t feel guilty if you slip. Being a solid support person isn´t easy.
• The situation isn´t hopeless. With the right medication and therapy and therapy  your support,you can get your friend or relative back, and he may return even better than before.
• The more you know about bipolar disorder, the more you can accept it and provide the proper support. 

Taking actions  

 

Here are some ideas for more practical hands-on things you can do to help a friend or relative with bipolar disorder:

• Attend a support group or class for friends or relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
• Ask your friend or relative how involved he wants you to be.
• Be helpful without being intrusive.
• During times of crisis, offer to cook, clean, or take care of other necessities.
• Keep in touch.
• Offer to drive your friend or relative to appointments.
• Listen.
• Treat your friend or relative as you used to, before you knew about the diagnosis.

Source:Candidalink Kraynak

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Supporting a Friend or Relative with Bipolar Disorder (part I)

Bipolar  can make or break a relationship. Although bipolar is a disorder that causes suffering, it can also have benefits. People with bipolar disorder can often be the most creative, engaging, intelligent, life-affirming people on the planet. They have fun, and their zest for life is contagious. You can easily fall in love with them.

When someone you care about is  a deep depression, however, you may feel as though the disorder is swallowiing you both up into a bottomless pit of despair. During a full-blown manic episode, the arrogance, anger, self-righteousness, or emotional abuse you loved one displays may repel you. It´s important to keep the  disorder in perspective and maintain a healthy state of mind.

Source: Bipolar Disorder, Candida Fink, MD, Joe Kraynak

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