The "dark side" of bipolar disorder includes devastating depressive lows (hopelessness, suicidal ideation, functional impairment), destructive manic highs (reckless behavior, impulsivity, psychosis with delusions/hallucinations), dysphoric/mixed states (irritability, rage, agitation with manic energy), high risk of substance abuse, severe relationship strain, and significant caregiver burden, often making treatment complex and life-threatening.
Here, mental health experts share seven common phrases to avoid saying to anyone with bipolar disorder — and the thoughtful, helpful things to say instead.
Ups and downs are natural in any romantic relationship, but when your partner has bipolar disorder it can feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster. Not knowing what to expect each day is stressful and tiring. Over time, it wears on the relationship.
You can also support your loved one by:
Both manic and depressive episodes can cause significant difficulties in all aspects of life, including at home, work and school. They may require specialized care to prevent the person from doing harm to themselves or others. Some people with bipolar disorder may experience what are called hypomanic episodes.
Introduction
How many hours should a bipolar person sleep? People should try to sleep at least 7 hours per night, regardless of whether they have a condition such as bipolar disorder.
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy.
This therapy focuses on stabilizing daily rhythms, including sleeping, waking and eating. A consistent routine helps manage moods. A daily routine for sleep, diet and exercise may help people with bipolar disorder.
Ignoring a person with bipolar disorder can escalate their mood swings and trigger their negative emotions. It can be harmful to a person and your relationship with that person. This is because such a person might experience frequent changes in emotional stability.
Living alone with bipolar disorder is possible with proper treatment adherence, support systems, and personalized safety plans. Managing medication independently requires strategic planning and the use of reminder tools to maintain consistency.
You could try to:
If you spouse fully accepts the diagnosis and resolves to get treatment, you could begin working together and make the marriage stronger than ever. Many people with bipolar disorder have happy, successful marriages. Read our article on Encouraging a Loved One to Get Help for tips on discussing bipolar with your spouse.
If you have bipolar disorder, it's important to know what can trigger your high and low moods. This can include things like feeling stressed, not getting enough sleep or being too busy.
Follow a mood-friendly diet
Many people with bipolar disorder struggle to achieve healthy eating patterns. In general, it is best to eat vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains.
Bipolar Disorder: Helping Someone During a Manic Episode
Stick to a routine
Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation, mindfulness, hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system.
Lithium is one of the most widely prescribed and studied medications for treating bipolar disorder. Lithium is a natural salt and will reduce symptoms of mania within two weeks of starting therapy, but it may take weeks to months before the manic symptoms are fully managed.
There are various types of exercise that can be beneficial for managing bipolar depression. Aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, increase your heart rate and help improve cardiovascular health. These activities also stimulate the release of endorphins, boosting your mood and energy levels.
Those with bipolar I depression were mainly hospitalized in summer and winter, whereas for bipolar II depression most admissions for depression occurred in the spring and summer.
Watching someone you love struggle with Bipolar Disorder can be equally challenging and exhausting. Seeing your loved one experience hopelessness, frequent crying spells, social and career frustrations, and feelings of worthlessness can be heartbreaking.
High-carbohydrate diets can cause mood crashes, so they should also be avoided. Other mood-damaging foods include chocolate, caffeine, and processed foods. Get your omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease mood swings in bipolar disorder.
Fatigue can be a symptom of depression, mania, or hypomania (a less severe form of mania). People with mood disorders like bipolar 1 might feel more fatigue more severely than those without the condition. Fatigue can come from physical activity, stress, poor eating habits, or not getting enough sleep.
Excessive daytime napping is associated with increased odds of a depressed state among patients with bipolar disorder, according to study results published in Sleep Medicine.