Bi-Polar Disorder?

Question

I need to know how you handle it when someone you love has it. What can you do to help them?

My sister and boyfriend have it and my bf won't take meds or see a psych. and he doesn't realize it but he's getting worse.

Answer 1

patience

Answer 2

Number 1 - the medication takes a long time to kick it. It doesn't always work, sometimes it makes things worse. You loved one will not be able to notice it. So if things look wrong, tell your friend's doctor.

Number 2 - When the "black moods" come, be there, be supportive, but don't nag. Don't tell them to "snap out of it." There is a book called "Feeling Good" that is very helpful. You can find it in any bookstore.

Number 3 - Remember to take care of yourself. You are not made of steel. You need to take a break sometimes too.

This is an illness that does not really get better, you manage it. Just bear that in mind. Good days and bad days.

I hope thing work out for you both.

Joe

Answer 3

It will get worse, then it will let up and then it will get worse, it is a cycle and no one can predict when it will be bad or good, get used to it. Some people have bad days and other people have bad weeks! Or Bad months.

There isn't anything you can do about it and just b/c you think he's getting worse might not really be the case at all. Bipolar is just like a cover on a book, we're good at covering things up and when things might look really bad actually they might be really good and when things look like they're good sometimes there really really bad it's all about whats on the inside and what is going thruogh our minds! Just be supportive and never give advice unless you are asked! Wtch what you say we tend to be very touchy and words confuse us at times or we think what did they mean by that and then we'll turn it all around and make something out of it toward ourselves without even meaning to or wanting to. We take everything to heart! At times he/she may seem to be doing somehting you don't understand but our mental health is everything to us and sometimes we do things we need to do otherwise we'd be worse off later. Try not to understand b/c you never will and remember when someone tells you they just need to be left alone they really need just that so give them there space! It won't take long for them to snap out of it and do not take it personally!

BTW I'm bipolar and not on meds. you can get by just fine and just b/c you're bipolar doesn't mean you need meds. some meds. will mess you up worse then not being on any at all!!! This med thing and bipolar they still are trying to figure out and personally I don't like to be a lab rat!

Answer 4

Bi-polar is a very tricky thing, my mother and best friend both have it. Really their is nothing you can do, because there is no possible way on this planet to guess what mood the enxt five minutes is going to bring. The only way to really help someone and handle it is convince them to get help. Convince them to see a Psych. and to take their medication regularly, because if they don't theirs nothing you can do!

Answer 5

there are a lot of resources about bipolar disorder on line...

you can look up BIPOLAR DISORDER, BIPOLAR SUPPORT GROUPS, BIPOLAR FAMILY MEMBER, and the list goes on.

bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.. you don't have to "handle" the person, it's up to him or her to get good help and follow their therapist's advice and to learn good coping skills, find meds which are right for them, and take care of themselves.

you can be supportive and listen.. and educate yourself by reading up on the subject...

take care!

Answer 6

Their is various sites about it