Living with Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder is difficult, especially since there’s no fail-proof treatment or cure. If you’re dealing with bipolar disorder yourself — or you have a bipolar parent, a bipolar spouse or a child that’s bipolar — you may feel overwhelmed. Working with a knowledgeable, supportive healthcare provider can help you determine the best treatment or combination of treatments for you.
Getting enough exercise and sleep and fostering positive relationships are vital to managing bipolar disorder symptoms. People with bipolar disorder should also consider the following tips:
- Become involved in motivating, enjoyable activities.
- Develop a daily routine that works for you.
- Find a passion and purpose in life that helps keep you focused.
- Learn and practice stress management and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, guided imagery or yoga.
If You’re a Bipolar Parent
If you are bipolar parent, be open with your children (at an age-appropriate level) about your condition. Help or get help for your children to deal with any fears they have about your condition, and make sure they understand that other families are dealing with bipolar disorder too.
Another important consideration, especially if you’re a single bipolar parent, is to arrange for someone to care for your children if you become unable to do so. Make sure that your children feel that they’re free to have their own lives without feeling they always have to look after you. In some cases, family counseling may help.
Living with a Bipolar Spouse
If you’re living with a bipolar spouse, you can start to help by learning all you can about your spouse’s condition. Understand, as much as possible, what your bipolar spouse might be going through and what you can and can’t do to help. You may want to become your spouse’s medical advocate, helping him to navigate though the options of dealing with bipolar disorder.
Realistically evaluate what your bipolar spouse can and can’t handle on a day-to-day basis, (such as finances or chores) and step in when necessary. However, try not to do things that your bipolar spouse can do for herself.
Living with a bipolar spouse can be quite challenging. Get support and learn to take care of yourself. Many people with a bipolar spouse find that if they can’t first care for themselves, they’re in no position to help their spouse or family. Make time for yourself, get enough sleep and exercise and eat healthy. Have your own life.
Whether you are living with bipolar disorder yourself, or you’re living with people with bipolar, you’ll be better prepared to cope with it if you understand the condition, get medical treatment and support, and you make sure to care for yourself.
Resources
Tartakovsky, M.S. (n.d.). Living with bipolar disorder. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from the Psych Central website: psychcentral.com/lib/2009/living-with-bipolar-disorder/all/1/.
Rubin, M. (2010). Coping skills for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the loving people who care for them. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from the Bipolar Disorder Life website: blog.marcyrubin.com/2010/04/29/coping-skills-for-those-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-and-the-loving-people-who-care-for-them.aspx.
Kelly, M. (2010). Parenting with bipolar disorder. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from the Two Trees Media website: www.twotreesmedia.com/parents_with_bipolar.htm.
HealthyPlace.com Staff. (2008). Help for surviving your spouse’s mental illness. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from the Healthy Place website: www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/support/help-for-surviving-your-spouses-mental-illness/menu-id-67/.