Bipolar Disorder: Asking for help with mood swings

Bipolar Disorder Help

One thing I’ve learned since my diagnosis in 1995 is that people simply don’t know what to do when faced with someone who struggles with bipolar disorder.  This includes the people who love you very much.

Helping others isn’t innate for most people. This is certainly true when it comes to bipolar disorder!

The solution? Teach others exactly what you need. Tell them when you’re well exactly what they can do to help when you’re ill – and they won’t feel so helpless!

How to Ask for Help

Everyone in my life knows about my daily struggles with bipolar disorder.

It’s tough to let people know you are vulnerable and need their help, but if you let them know exactly how they can help you, it’s not such a burden to them.

Have you asked for help from friends and family lately?

Do you need to share with someone about how this illness affects your life?

I recently met a new friend who just happened to have bipolar disorder. What a difference it makes to be able to talk with her. It is such a comfort to say, “I’m sick today,” and know that she understands. She manages the illness with lithium, so she is a good example for me, especially when my lithium is making me ill. On the other side, I have some people in my life who don’t want to help when I’m sick. I have to respect that and let them have their own lives.

When I do meet someone who wants to help, I give them specific tools they can use when they see that I’m down or hypomanic. For example, everyone knows that I isolate myself when depressed. If they don’t hear from me for awhile, it’s a sign I’m depressed.  They know that getting me out of the house is the answer.  I’ve told them this specifically.

Many think that leaving me alone is the best thing as they don’t want to bother me. I had to tell them exactly what they could do instead of leaving me alone.  Call and set a time for us to meet for happy hour. Suggest a movie and give me a specific time to meet. Ask me if I’m depressed and if I want to get out of the house. I will always say yes if prompted!

It’s hard for me to do it on my own sometimes.

This works! They don’t feel helpless- and it saves my relationships as people can get involved in my life no matter what mood I’m experiencing!

Julie

 

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