Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious psychiatric illness. Manic depressive people have big mood swings between extremely excited states and deep depressions. Like other psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder varies in severity and specific symptoms from person to person. How you should deal with someone with the disorder depends on the symptoms and your relationship.
Instructions
1. Learn everything you can about bipolar disorder. Organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) make information available online to educate the public about bipolar disorder. Books like the "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" go into more depth about the illness. Follow the links below for some good resources and books to educate you about the condition.
2. Avoid stereotyping a bipolar friend or family member. Some bipolar patients manage their symptoms so well or have mild enough symptoms that even those close to them scarcely notice when they have an episode. Others can be exciting and charming while manic, but also reckless and self-destructive. Still others suffer full-blown psychotic episodes or suicidal depression. Use books and other resources to learn what to look for, but privilege your own observations above what you read.
3. Evaluate your own relationship to the manic depressive. The way you deal with a close friend or family member suffering from bipolar disorder is a lot different than how you would deal with an acquaintance or total stranger accosting you in the midst of a manic episode. If, for example, you have a bipolar roommate who does not have his symptoms under control, you may simply want to move out.
4. Learn to watch for oncoming manic or depressive episodes. A bipolar patient may start to have excited speech or a change in affect before a manic episode, or stat to seem hopeless and lethargic before going into a full-on depression. He may not notice these signs. If your relationship is close, suggest he goes to see his doctor before slipping into a full-on mania or depression.
5. Help the bipolar patient avoid relapses. Encourage her to take her medicine and keep up with doctors appointments. Discourage drug use and excessive drinking, as these can exacerbate symptoms.
6. Don't argue with a manic. Be honest and straightforward, but don't have an intense discussion. Don't take anything your friend says during mania too personally. Wait until he calms down to have difficult conversations.
7. Get immediate professional help if the bipolar sufferer appears to be a danger to herself or others. Call her doctor or 911. You may feel guilty at the time, but your friend will forgive you or even thank you when she comes out of the episode.
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