Coping Methods for the Family

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Things to consider to help you cope with a family member who has bipolar disorder or another mental illness.

Supporting Someone with Bipolar - For Family and Friends

• No one is to blame and you cannot cure a mental disorder for a family member.
• Despite medication compliance, episodes may occur. It may take some time to find the right medications and dosages. Additionally, the symptoms of the disorder may change over time, requiring medication adjustments.
• Despite your efforts, the symptoms may get worse.
• Separate the person from the disorder. Love the person, hate the disorder and separate the medication side effects from the disorder/person.
• It is NOT okay for you to neglect your needs. Take care of yourself, ensuring you have a rich and fulfilling life. Do not shoulder the whole responsibility for your family member. You may have to assess your emotional commitment.
• There is nothing to be ashamed of if someone in your family has a neurological chemical brain disorder.
• It is natural to experience many strong emotions such as denial, grief, guilt, fear, anger, sadness, hurt, and confusion. Healing occurs with acceptance and understanding. Allow your affected family member and other family members to go through their grieving processes at their own pace. This is also true for you.
• You may have to re-evaluate your expectations. Your family member's successes may be experienced differently from others. However, recognizing that a person has limited capabilities should not mean that you should expect nothing of them. It is important to set boundaries and set clear limits.
• Do not be afraid to ask if your family member is contemplating suicide. Remember that suicide attempts are a cry for help. Often the individual is trying to escape from the consequences of the disorder, and they feel hopeless. Their thinking and judgment at this time may be impaired; they may not understand that they are seeing the world through the symptoms of their disorder. Do not put up a barrier to open communication.
• Remember that irritability and unusual behavior can be a symptom of the disorder; do not take it personally.
• Forgive yourself and others sense of humor.
• Allow your family member the dignity to make his or her own choices; do not patronize, but encourage.

Recognize Pending Episodes

To minimize the effects of mania and depression and the consequences, it is important to identify pending episodes. Early recognition can prevent severe impairment in social and occupational functioning. Potential harm to relationships and the family unit can be minimized. Recognizing and treating episodes in their early stages can allow individuals to lead a healthy, productive life.

Even though your family member may be medicated, prescription drugs may not eliminate all episodes of mania or depression. You can help your family member by recognizing marked changes in their behavior.

Factors that could exacerbate a pending episode may be related to the environment, stress, or an unhealthy lifestyle.

An increase or change in usage of mood altering substances through the use of stimulants and depressants such as caffeine, smoking, alcohol, prescription drug abuse, and illegal narcotics may also indicate a problem exists.

Please do not judge your family member; it is common to abuse these substances in an attempt to decrease the effects of the disorder. However, the use of these substances will defeat the purpose of the prescribed medications, decreasing their effectiveness, and potentially create an unwanted mood swing.