Supporting Family and Friends with Bipolar~

Good evening readers, im so sorry that the day have got away from me and its been awhile since I posted in this blog. I miss writing, such a part of who iam, and I know there are so many out there who struggle daily, and I want this blog to be a glimmer of hope amidst your dark days.

    Tonight’s topic is supporting family and friends who have mental illness. This disease doesn’t just affect the person who has it, but those in that person’s life who are closest to them. The effects are far reaching; it is a family disease in many ways. So what are ways that if you are close to someone with mental illness, how can you support them, whether it be a child, parent, spouse, best friend, ect…….

   I speak from both sides as someone who has dealt with bipolar and someone who has friends and family who has struggled with this. Ive had amazing support over the years from my husband don and my parents and my grandparents and best friends. They all took the time to educate themselves and stand by me when things got very ugly.

     So what are the ways to come along side and show your love and support in very tangible ways? Educating yourself is very important, for me I already knew how to approach them because I dealt with is, but many don’t, for many this is new territory and it’s just as scary for those in the person’s life, as the person who has been diagnosed. Part of educating yourself is know what Bipolar, depression ect is,  what are the symptoms, what are triggers and what triggers your loved ones or friends episodes.

  Be a listening ear, this is something that’s so important, with bipolar you get deopressed for unknown reasons because of chemical imbalance, those in our lives who love us can’t fix it, but when they actively listen and reassure us they are there, it can make a world of difference. Don’t pass judgments; those suffering are hard enough on themselves without added negativity directed towards them. Guilt is often a feeling that those with mental illness deal with, what you may mean for good, could make them feel more guilty. Coming along side and helping us see clearly and patiently is what we need. At times we feel like we’re under a magnify glass; we are always hardest on ourselves.

   For those who have the depression be as open and honest with your loved ones, help them understand to help you. Its not easy on anyone. It can be scary for a family member to watch their loved one change or transform into a person they don’t know or understand. You need to work as a team. We do our part, and hope they do theirs. It can be tiring, it can feel like a rollercoaster not just for the person with the diagnosis , but the family and friends too.its important for family and friends to get their own support talking to other family members deal with a loved one going through this, that support is vital.

   Sometimes our words seem to not make a difference; we may feel defeated in offering help. I saw my husband go through this, when my bipolar was at its worst. It can be frustrating for the person with the illness if their family and friends don’t understand or don’t take the time to understand and offer support, Family counseling can be so beneficial to the overall emotional health of the family unit.

   Don’t try to walk this road alone. Iot will be very lonely and it can feel overwhelming. Family and friends need to change their view of how they view behaviors, not to look at them as weakness or laziness. And don’t view your loved one as those things. Someone suffering day in and day out with bipolar struggle with feelings of worthlessness, if we aren’t careful our help can come across as judgments.

  Part of educating yourself about this disease and about your loved one, is being able to tell the difference between your loved on and when they are having a episode. Know the difference between symptoms and feelings. Communication and honesty is the key to understanding and a good relationship. When we are feeling most vulnerable and fragile, is when we need the most TLC…. Its unknown territory for all, so be patient, and love each other!