Living with a person who has Bipolar disorder takes empathy, patience and most importantly time and understanding. When encountering a manic episode for the first time it is frightning to watch the person go through the exaggerated and volitile mood. During a depressive episode the person can become so unlike their usual self that it can bring out anger on the families part because they cannot understand what the person is going through or why.
Bipolar disorder is extremely debilitating on all who are around them and it may take years to be fully able to deal with the episodes. Medication regimes have to be kept up and helping the person during times of crisis is an art tht needs to be learned.
Living Bipolar and by Living Bipolar I mean having a healthy, stable and quality life, you will need some basic support. Emotional support, financial support and crisis support. You may also want care for children and pets, household help and accompaniment to appointments for when the depression can make daily living difficult.
Make a list of your support group you may want to share it with your doctor and treatment team if you become unable to take care of yourself or there is the need for hospitalization. Keep a copy of you dotors and heath professionals for your family and friends in an emergency.
You may choose not to disclose the details of your disorder to coworkers and emploer but it is wise to have one person aware that you have an illness and are actively seeking help this may keep your employment from jeopardy. But there are laws to protect you should you choose not
to.
Remember signs of your disorder have probably become noticiable to most of the people you have been in contact with already and telling them about your illness may relieve them of ideas such a substance abuse or some other type of problem. The decision to tell anyone about being bipolar is up to you the doctors and healthc care professionals cannot disclose anything about you to others so the choice of who and when to tell is up to you.
Living Bipolar is a lifetime commitment and for most a possibility for those who have to make drastic changes such as early retirement and disability the choice is still yours for some this is the only option but the majority of Bipolars live long and happy lives with treatment and diligence to their symptoms and a close relationship with a health care team.
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