what coping skills do i need to live with and understand a loved one with bipolar disorder?

Answer 1

It is important to understand that a lot of the things they say and do when they are not stable are unintentional. For instance, they may say they hate you, wish you were dead, etc. Take all of that with a grain of salt. Sometimes, when extremely manic, they could also be psychotic (that is how I get) and may not remember a thing they said or did. It is important not to remind them of those things. It does not promote stabilization. It is also important to understand your own breaking point. When is it beyond your control? When do they need to go to the hospital? It is important to encourage them to go see their psychiatrist and psychologist. It is important to congratulate (w/o being condescending) when they have been doing well. It is also important to give them space when they ask for it. It is also important for you to relize that their mental health is not YOUR responsibility. It is theirs. You can only do so much.

It is very difficult to love someone with Bipolar Disorder. It is common to want to "fix" whatever is wrong with them. It may be of help to you to see your own therapist to help you cope.

Answer 2

You can watch her/his highs and downs without his notice.And control his health from a distance.And cooperate with his p-doc.That is all you can do.The rest is only effort.You may not understand the situation he's in when he's sick.You may not understand his feeling , thoughts and behaviours.Empathy may not work.Be cautious and dont get judgemental whatever he does.Judgement and impatience is the last thing he needs.
When he needs you,show as much as pure love that you can ,just like giving love to a child(not treating him like a baby but still...)when he's aggressive don't respond to his anger,and when he wants to isolates himself just stay away from him for a while and let him keep his own space.Love and patience is the answer I guess..

Answer 3

I'm bipolar, and I know I can be very difficult to live with. My husband has a ton of patience, which is great, but he has also drawn his boundaries.. that is to say, I can be incredibly angry at him, but he will refuse to deal with me until I have calmed down. There are certain things that he will not put up with, ever... like me deciding to get off my medication.
Patience itself is a great thing, but you need to draw those boundaries as well or you'll get walked all over. "No" can be surprisingly hard to say sometimes, but you need to know how to say it, and more importantly, MEAN it.
Education is really important, as other people have suggested. Knowing what to expect makes things a lot more manageable. Perhaps pick up the books "An Unquiet Mind" and "Touched by Fire" by Kay Jamieson. They're a great read.
Also, please please PLEASE take the time to learn from your loved one what bipolar disorder is like for them. It affects all of us differently, and what may work beautifully as a coping skill in my family may be exactly the wrong thing to do in yours. Ask questions and ask your bipolar what to do in certain situations. Try to understand that as scary as bipolar disorder can seem for the caregivers and spouses, it's infinitely more scary for the person who has it. I remember that people were very divided when I got diagnosed. The vast majority decided that they knew what was best for me, and tried to impose their will on me like I was a small child. It didn't go over well at all, as you might imagine. There were a few people though that asked questions and tried to understand what it was like for me, and I worked with them rather than against them, simply because they treated me like an adult.
Above all else, have respect for your bipolar loved one as a fellow human being, and adult (albeit a strange one at times). It will be hard sometimes, but if you show that you care about them as a person, and that you view them as someone with hopes and dreams and fears like everyone else, you'll get much farther. No one likes to be treated as if they themselves were a diease.
Other than that, good luck, and have fun. It's my opinion-- and I'm biased of course!-- that bipolar people can be a lot of fun, and very interesting to live with.

Answer 4

Loads of patience. My ex of 6 years was bi-polar and he eventually had a complete break which broke us and my heart. Be careful and understand that this is a true condition. Seek couples/family counseling for you and your loved one. Keep yourself and your loved one on track by constant open communication and try to get to know their behavior when they are lying. They will try to protect you from their disease. Utterly, the best of luck to you and yours!

Answer 5

Mi wife has a bad depression. It´s very difficult to cope with the mood swings. Best advice:
1) Research
2) Visit yourself the Dr.
3) Don´t take personal what they say ( very, very difficult sometimes)
4)Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience,Patience
5) Patience Remember is your loved one. Patience,Patience,Patience,

Answer 6

my cuz has that ther mood swings are really bad one min there happy the next there really down its not easy to deal with but with alot of love and understanding just being there somtimes helps but when there down just keep a eye on them not much help i know but its all i know i dont live with him but have viseted him and talk to him online

Answer 7

Lots of patience and understanding.

Answer 8

well do all the research you can. thats what my mom did. you have to be very patient. that is one thing that i'm thankful that is one of my moms attributes. you also have to realize that its not always in their control. they dont realize that what they have said or have done. so forgive and forget.

Answer 9

do some research on webmd.com and have lots of love with patience

Answer 10

Wow! You have to be very patient and loving.