How do you help someone who is bipolar?

Question

My cousin was recently diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, and despite all of the medication and therapy, he still feels like he is losing his grasp on the world. I don't know much about bipolar II, and there does not seem to be much information on it. Is there anything that I should know about it? More importantly, what is the best way that I can help him?

Answer 1

hit him with a really big magnet

Answer 2

Bipolar or manic-depressive disorder sucks! If treated early, it can be put into remission with a fairly successful treatment rate. However, if it goes too far, the person starts to lose contact with reality. That is when folks don't believe that they need help...and it becomes more difficult.

It's tough to know where your cousin is at, or if he has a GOOD psychiatrist and therapist treating him. (There are definitely psychiatrists who don't know a bipolar patient from a fireman's pole...honestly). My sister is bipolar and until we got her to a competent psychiatrist, she was a mess!

Medication doesn't change things over night. Stay with it. Tell him to be patient...to a point. Sometimes the inbetween from start to actual intevention of the medication can be "pure hell" (so for the swearing). The side effects will either go away, or can be managed by a competent doc.

If he and you don't feel like he is improving after a month of so, seek a second opinion. Ask his, your and other's family practice/internist, etc. who THEY recommend for this diagnosis. Doctors will tell you the truth if you push them.

If needed, some doctors also perform Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT). Yes...it is what you remember from "One Flew Over the Coo-Coos Nest" , But is VERY different than what was shown. It is a medcial procedure, using anethesia with an anesthestist (just like in surgery), a psychiatrist, a nurse, a recovery room, etc. The idea is to cause a short seizure that changes the "mix" in your brain.

I have seen miracles happen with ECT...though I pray your cousin just does better with medications and does not need it.

Good luck and God Bless!

(I've also listed the American Psychaitric Association's web site on treatment, etc.)

Answer 3

I have been Bipolar II for 15 years, although I wasn't properly diagnosed until about 5 years ago. I was lucky in that the psychiatrist who diagnosed me was Jim Phelps, the same psychiatrist who runs the website listed below and who runs a column on the bipolar world website. He is one of the leading psychiatrists on Bipolar disorder. He also wrote a great book called Why Am I Still Depressed? It has a lot of info on the disorder, plus medications, therapy and help for families. What is your cousin taking? Some medications take longer than others. For instance, Depakote and Lithium sometimes take a couple of weeks before they appear to work while Zyprexa is more fast acting. I take Lamictal and while it didn't take long to work, it was hard to adjust to. You have to take it in small doses at first and then slowly increase it. By the time I had adjusted to one dose, it would be time to increase. I will say that it doesn't take long for Lamictal to work, although it does take time for any medication to get to a therapeutic level. Your cousin should be seeing a therapist as he sounds like he could be depressed at the moment. The best way that you could help him would be to educate yourself and support him. The book details ways that families can be supportive. Good luck!

Answer 4

Understanding Mood Disorders
- Tormented Minds
- Living With a Mood Disorder
- Hope for Sufferers
- How Others Can Help
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/1/8/article_01.htm

When Someone You Love Has a Mental Disorder
- Recognize symptoms.
- Become informed.
- Pursure treatment.
- Encourage the sufferer to seek help.
- Aviod placing blame.
- Have realistic expectations.
- Stay Connected.
- Consider the needs of other family members.
- Promote good health practices.
- Take care of yourself.
- Some Warning Signs of Mental Disorders
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/9/8/article_01.htm

How to Find Real Happiness
- Think of Your Spiritual Needs
- Keep Your Life Simple
- Happiness and Self-Worth
- Hope--Vital to Happiness
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2001/3/1/article_02.htm

Hope---Where Can You Find It? :
- You Can Fight Pessimism
- Where You Can Find Real Hope! http://watchtower.org/e/20040422/article_03.htm

(NOTE : These URLs will likely be modified soon. After that, each title can be entered in the Advanced Search engine at : http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm , which will give you a link with each new URL.)

Answer 5

the meds take time and don't always help. sometimes they have to keep changing them and adjusting them until they can find the right dosage and combination. with the therapy, well that takes time too. the important thing is for him to find someone he trusts as a therapist so he can really get into what bothering him.
not entirely sure what bipolar II disorder is exactly because when I was diagnosed as bipolar they didn't specify a particular "brand"
i know that personally physical exertion and writing seem to help when i'm having an especially difficult time dealing with life.
just be there for him but don't focus on the illness.

Answer 6

It's wonderful that you are willing to research bipolar to be a part of his support system.

You said he was 'recently' diagnosed. It takes time ... trial and error to get the right combination (cocktail) of medication to regain and obtain good health.

I have lived with the symptoms of depression since I was a teenager ... I am now 50 years old. The new medications on the market are miracle workers. BUT ... it takes time.

It wasn't until the past couple of years that I have gained TOTAL health. It took 18 months with my new doctor to fine tune the cocktail.

Continue to learn all that you can in order to be an informed support system ... Encourage you cousin to talk to you ... especially when thoughts of suicide occur. Listen without judgment ... provide lots of hugs ... and keep a close eye out for unusual changes in behavior.

Be sure to gently remind him that within time things will be much better and he will once again enjoy life.

Answer 7

The best way to support him is probably to let him know you are there and open to help if he needs you. Adjusting medications to find the right mix for bipolar can be a lengthy process, and it is helpful to have an understanding family while this process is going on.

Answer 8

People who has bipolar can be on two emotional stages: 1. Remission- act normal 2. Manic: flights of thought, compulsiveness. It can be switched back and forth.
My sister was diagnosed with this condition, depends on the seriousness of your cousin's condition. If he's not violent, in the manic stage- Say, shoping impulse and hand washing- like my sis. You can be there to talk to him, drawl him away from whatever impulse he's focuse on by changing topics. I always tell my sister to take a walk when she was in the manic stage. You can also offer him to sit down for a snack.

Answer 9

You are a good cousin. Just remember that your cousin is sick and he will not always feel like going to family functions. Try to encourage him to come anyways. Its important for him not to be isolated from the family. He may say things he doesn't mean. Don't take it personally. I don't think you have to be his counsellor, but it will be enough to know that his relatives are a stable part of his life.

Answer 10

if you have someone who is bipolar, it can be very challenging for a family. They can be happy one second and down another. They can have multiple personalities. I am sorry, as i am not a phycologist, but i would recommend talking to a counselor. A counselor can help you consider things that will lighten the weight of knowing someone boiolar.

Answer 11

he will have a lot of hypo-mania,do some more research on it,remember it takes a lot more to know more,i have bipolar 1 disorder,go to www.pcychcentral.com i hope that helps you with the information.not all meds will help him it will take a lot to help him.i haven even found the meds that help me good yet.