How do you cope when living with someone with Bipolar Disorder?

Answer 1

I am bipolar and all of us can be hard to live with if we are not receiving proper treatment. It is not our intent to be difficult. A chemical imbalance in our brains causes us to react differently to situations than a normally functioning person does. We have sudden and unexpected mood changes. Anger out bursts are common. But still it is no excuse, we are still responsible for our behavior.

The web site links I am providing below are very good. Please check them out. They can provide you with skills on coping with a loved one or helping them to cope and seek treatment.

I hope I have helped. I wish you both good luck.

If you wish to ask me more or just need to talk contact me at [e-mail]

Sincerely,
Terry

Answer 2

Terry answered your question. But I just had to add my 2 cents because the first several answers you received were from idiots and I feel the need to balance out their answers with something more rational.

I'm bipolar, too. Yes, I'm very emotional at times. But sometimes that's a good thing. I'm very empathetic. The only time it's really difficult being around someone who's bipolar is if they're in denial or not getting treatment. Then you have every right to take care of yourself and leave them. Communicate openly when they're having good days and any problems can be avoided for the most part.

May I suggest the forums on NAMI.org. The bipolar forums are very active. NAMI.org, "living with" communities, bipolar.

Answer 3

Set your personal boundaries for your own emotional preservation or you will become emotionally exhausted. If they've been triggered somehow or aren't acting rational, not thinking of consequences and more importantly, not responding to help then they've got to take a chill pill and have a time out.
The other thing you can do is be as supportive as you can by learning everything you can about what bipolar is. If you can get a theoretical understanding of what it's like inside the mind of someone who is bipolar, you're job of being supportive will be so much easier.
A person who is bipolar doesn't choose to be moody or completely irrational, it's a chemical imbalance and not their fault but that still doesn't let them off the hook from the consequences of their actions.

Answer 4

That was so broad a question. I was like how do you fly an air plane. I lived with my dad who was bipolar disorder. You just do. It is like how you life with someone else. I can be difficult like living with any other difficult person. Bipolar people are not Axe murders like some of these people would make you believe. Look at some real information.

Books The Bipolar Survival Guiide or Loving someone Bipolar
Websites www.nami.org for info and there is a group to talk to other family members and groups for family to family in towns
Try reading on www.dbsalliance.org

Inform yourself. If this is a roomate you do not have to live with them. You can get your own counsellor for yourself and talk about your situation. My mother does that and it has helped her. She was also in the nami family to family class and liked it.

Just remember bipolar people are still people they just have an illness like anyone else. It is just a brain chemical imballance instead of an insulin problem that a diabetic has. They are not monsters or criminals. They are more likely to be victums of crimes themselves.

Answer 5

Through education. You need to learn all you can about bi polar disorder and what can be done as a spouse or what ever you are to this person.
http://www.sedonacreativelife.com/pre0373.html

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/bipolar.html

These links have some good ideas and information on bipolar. I guess what you will have to ask yourself, is, How important is this person to you? If not for their bipolar, do you value them? I know it isn't easy to be with someone who suffers mental illness, but I tell ya the flip side. It isn't easy to be the person who HAS the mental illness. The guilt over the lack of control alone can tear you apart. I hope that the person you are talking about is actually trying to control it and is getting treatment if needed. Best to you.

Answer 6

Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder, so you can better understand the condition and that can help you with your interaction with them. There are many good books about it and also for people who know someone with bipolar and the books given many ideas of how to help both yourself and the person afflicted with it. Also it helps to know which bipolar it is. Are they bipolar 1, or bp 2 or bp 3. That will also give you some idea of how extreme their swings/moods are going to be.

Answer 7

Very Difficult to deal with. Try and ensure they take their medication, that's the most difficult part for most as when they are OK, they think they don't need it. When they are off, try not to provoke them to avoid violence.

Maybe you could look for a support group in your area.

Sorry can't be much help, as can't cope with my 30 year old son who lives part time at home, perhaps knowing others are suffering may give you some comfort in as much as others don't have any simple solutions to this difficult problem either.

Answer 8

Tne purpose of the medication is to help the person stay stabilized. If it doesn't seem to be helping them, they should see their doctor who might either change the dosage or the type of medication. It IS possible for a bipolar person to lead a normal life without symptoms.

Answer 9

I make sure the person takes medication for it. I try to keep him so that there aren't changes or sudden things that trigger him. My 11 year old son has it and it is hard sometimes but i just learn what triggers it and we try to stay away from things like that if possible if not then i tell him to go to his room for some quiet time.

Answer 10

it is hard and you never know when they are going to have a fit my husband is like that you just try and make it and talk to the dr to see if they can put him or her on some meds for it. i do know how yopu feel.
just when you think you are getting ahead bam it hits and every thing you worked so hard for is right back where you were before.