Bipolar
Manic Disorder
There are several symptoms to
bipolar
manic disorder that are often
attributed to mood swings or disregarded as insignificant. However,
manic depression is
a severe disorder or
depression that
can
drastically
impact a person’s life and stability. It can also be very difficult to
handle for the loved ones of the person with the illness. People who
are close to a person with manic depressive disorder or depression can
take the symptoms of the illness personally, when really there are
neurons in the person’s brain that induce them to act a certain way
that is out of their control. It is hard to see that sometimes though,
especially when there are emotions involved. It can also be difficult
not to fall into the same mood swings as the patient has. Bipolar
marriages, bipolar pregnancies, and bipolar families are all very
difficult to deal with. Listed ahead are a few tips indication how you
can treat a loved one with the
severe
disorder or depression.
To start,
you can simply be there for them. Give them a shoulder to cry on or
just listen while they spill out their hearts to you. Be patient with
them. Let them know that you care. Share the things you have learned
while researching
severe disorder and
depression. Let them know it is
not their fault, that
they are not weak or worthless.
Offer hope in whatever form they
will accept it. This could be their faith in God, their love of their
children, or anything else that makes them want to go on living. Find
what works best for them and remind them of it whenever they're not
sure they can hang on any longer. If they're suicidal, you may need to
seek immediate help. There are some very valuable suicide resources on
the Internet that will help you to help your loved cope with severe
disorder and suicidal
feelings as well.
Medications and therapy are crucial to their
recovery. Help keep them on track with treatment. Help to ease their
fears about treatment by letting them know that they're not crazy. In
addition, you have to simply love them unconditionally and let someone
know it is their illness and
severe
disorder you're frustrated with,
not them.
Put yourself in their shoes. Learn what
severe
disorder and depression
feels like, the misconceptions about mental illness and
bipolar
disorder that they must deal with, and get the facts about what
severe
disorder and depression really
is.
Educate yourself. There are countless
sites on the Internet where you can learn about
bipolar disorder and
depression, it's
symptoms, and treatment. Learn about informed
consent and the legal aspects of treatment in your state. Read up on
disability law as it applies to the mentally ill.
It's okay to feel upset, angry, frustrated. These feelings are a valid
response to a
very trying situation. Join a support group, talk with a close friend,
or see a therapist. The important thing is vent your frustrations
rather than allowing them to build up inside. Also, quite simply, make
sure you take care of yourself. Feelings of
bipolar disorder and
depression are
contagious. Periodically take some time to step back from the situation
and recharge your batteries.
Remember
that the
bipolar disorder or depressed
person's behavior isn't
indicative of the "real"
person. The depressed person has impaired social skills. They may be
withdrawn and shy or sullen and angry. When the
bipolar disorder or
depressed person lashes
out in anger, it's because they're actually angry with themselves and
the way they feel. You just happen to be there. When your spouse or
significant other doesn't feel like having sex, don't take it
personally. Loss of sex drive is a classic symptom of
depression or
bipolar disorder. It
doesn't mean they don't love you.
Depressed
people aren't lazy. They're ill. Everyday activities like cleaning
house, paying bills, or feeding the dog may seem overwhelming to them.
You may have to take up the slack for them for awhile. Just like if
they had the flu, they simply don't feel up to it.
Here are some more Depression Related
articles...
