10 Ways You Can Help a Loved One Cope with Bipolar Illness

Bipolar illness is a serious disorder and millions of people across the country struggle with it every day. It’s difficult for friends and family members to see someone they love suffering, whether it’s from symptoms depression and/or mania, our gut instinct is to help. Here are ten ways you can help a loved one cope with bipolar illness.
  1. Encourage them to participate in social activities. One of the heaviest aspects of bipolar illness is depression. People who are depressed tend to isolate themselves. Help your friend cope by encouraging them to go for coffee with you or maybe go for a walk together.
  2. Listen to them without judgment. What your friend needs right now is for someone to listen to them without trying to fix their problem. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to is great therapy on its own!
  3. Understand when they need alone time. Sometimes, people with bipolar illness just want to be alone, give them the space they need without judgment but don’t go away entirely.
  4. Ask them how you can help. Stress can bring on a bipolar episode. Knowing your friend, you might already know how you can help. Pick up some dry cleaning? Wash their dishes?
  5. Maintain the friendship. Even if the individual declines your invites time and again, don’t stop inviting them. Being included and thought of will help them feel more socially connected and less alone.
  6. Join them at their support group. It’s hard for some people to get up the courage to go to a support group. Having a friend offer to go along makes it easier and will ultimately truly help.
  7. Learn as much as you can about the symptoms of depression and mania. When you educate yourself about bipolar illness you will be able to understand your friend better and even help them more fully.
  8. Let them know that they have much to offer. Bipolar disorder doesn’t define an individual; let them know that they have a lot to offer society and their own friends and family.
  9. Support their treatment plan. Whatever treatment plan they have chosen, be supportive of it.
  10. Be available for them. Even though your friend won’t want to talk every minute of the day, knowing that you are there for them will reassure them that they aren’t alone.

BPHope.com is an online magazine that provides dozens of article about bipolar illness. Whether you are interested in reading about the symptoms of depression, the symptoms of mania, treatment plans, diagnosis, bipolar in kids or if you would like to join a safe and nurturing online community forum, BPHope.com can help.

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