An Unquiet Mind, by Kay Redfield Jamison, is the first book about bipolar that helped me not to feel so alone. The author, a psychiatrist, tells the story of her descent into madness and her return from it’s depths. This memoir is gripping, a realistic view of what bipolar disorder looks like from the inside. If you don’t have time to read many books about depression, I highly recommend that you choose this as one of the first. I recommend it to anyone I know that is newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I bought copies for several family members to read so that they could get a first hand view of what it’s like to live with this disease.
If your partner or spouse has bipolar disorder, day to day life can sometimes be a struggle. Sometimes, you see the beautiful person that you fell in love with. Other times, however, your partner’s behavior may become erratic, they may have fits of rage, or they may sink into depression for weeks at a time. Living with someone with bipolar disorder brings with it it’s own unique challenges.
Expect the Cycles
If your loved one is on medication, it can be tempting to think that everything is “all better”. However, they will likely still experience mood swings and cyclical ups and downs. The swings will be less dramatic, but they’ll still be a part of life. It’s best to be prepared for the occasional swing of mood, and to ask your partner when they’re well what you can do to help them when they’re sick.
Make Necessary Adjustments
Bipolar disorder isn’t a fun illness to have. Your partner may not enjoy things that they used to, may not have the energy to prepare meals or clean house sometimes, and may be frustrated by their inability to cope with the demands of work, school, or parenting. Help them make small adjustments wherever possible. Maybe they can try working from home, cut back their hours, or take some time off. Can you prepare a few meals in advance and freeze them for “down” days? Help your partner think of ways to cope with a mood swing before it happens.
Develop a Support System
Living with someone with bipolar disorder often means taking on the role of caregiver from time to time. This can be exhausting, and it’s important that you surround yourself with people who understand. Spend some time building yourself a network of friends and family who understand what you’re going through. You’ll be grateful for the help when you need it most.
If you’re experiencing a desperate situation, it may seem like there’s no help available. However, bipolar disorder help is always available, if you know where to look.
First, you need to evaluate the severity of the symptoms you’re experiencing. Do you feel like hurting yourself or someone else? Do you wish that you were dead? Do you have a plan for suicide? If you’ve answered ”yes” to any of these questions, get a ride to the emergency room or call 911. The professionals there can get you the bipolar disorder help you need to help you get through this crisis. Don’t wait or worry that you’re not “sick enough” – just make the call and get the help that you need.
If you’re living with someone with bipolar, and are concerned about their severe symptoms, you may need to step in and get bipolar disorder help for them. If they are behaving erratically, talking about suicide or homicide, or threatening to harm themselves or someone else, you may need to make the call for them. Call 911 or your local police department, and explain that you have a mental health emergency in your home. Describe the behavior, and be prepared to tell the responders the doctor your loved one sees, as well as any medications that they take regularly or may have overdosed on.
Every year, bipolar disorder claims the lives of thousands of people. It’s important to be prepared with a crisis plan. If you’re bipolar, be sure your loved ones know how to take proper care of you if you get sick. If you live with someone who is bipolar, gather necessary information when they are well and be prepared to help them in a crisis
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Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder
This week, I’m recommending another book by Julie Fast over at Bipolar Happens. I own nearly every book that she puts out, along with her mood cards, and she offers good, solid information about bipolar disorder. Best of all, she’s been there herself.
Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder is a book about working together as a couple when one or both partners have bipolar. It teaches communication skills, coping skill, and ways to get along even when you don’t feel like it. This book helped my husband and I to recognize when I’m sick and when I’m well, when I’m making good choices and when I need a little help, and when he needs to just take me straight to the doctor 
If you love someone with bipolar disorder and aren’t sure how to help them, I highly,highly recommend this book.
Tags: books about depression, loving someone with bipolar disorder, Treating Bipolar Disorder
