NAMI reports that more than 7 million American adults currently experience bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression. A medical condition affects patients through complete mood swings and behavioral alterations, which transition from intense highs (mania or hypomania) to severe lows (depression). The nature of unpredictable mood swings creates difficult situations for persons who attempt to provide support to family members with bipolar disorder.
Many people ask, How do I deal with a bipolar person without making things worse? Or how can I help someone with bipolar disorder while also taking care of my own mental health? Understanding these concerns presents an important issue for anyone who sees their loved one dealing with erratic emotions.
This article explores what bipolar disorder is, clears up misconceptions about the condition, and provides compassionate strategies to deal with a person with bipolar disorder, not from a place of frustration, but from a place of understanding, patience, and empathy. If you’re seeking real-life tools and a deeper insight into how to deal with a bipolar person, you’re in the right place.
What Is Bipolar Disorder? Understanding the Basics
Bipolar disorder functions as a mental health disorder that seizes the mind similarly to an unanticipated rogue wave, by alternately thrusting it between elevated highs and depressive lows. Bipolar disorder operates as a brain-based disorder that affects how someone thinks, functions, and feels despite physical mood swings. Biological, chemical brain processes, inherited factors, and environmental stressors create this uncommon illness, which experts agree is as severe as medical disorders, even though it encounters frequent prejudice.
Definition of Bipolar and Common Symptoms
Bipolar disorder manifests as intense mood swings between manic episodes, depressive episodes, and their lesser variant, hypomania. Thick feelings of depression require moving through a slow and heavy substance like molasses that takes away both happiness and hope. These are the eight most typical symptoms of bipolar disorder that individuals should monitor:
- Euphoric or irritable mood
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep
- Impulsive behavior
- Deep sadness or hopelessness
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite or weight
Types of Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression Explained
The medical term bipolar disorder previously operated as manic depression, but it exists without a single diagnostic characteristic. Bipolar disorder shows itself as a range of mood conditions that alternate between periods of intense emotional states, including hypomania, mania, and depressive episodes. The mood swings that occur in this disorder affect daily functioning differently because they manifest with diverse degrees of intensity, frequency, and pattern specificities that stem from each subtype.
Research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that bipolar disorder affects approximately 4.4% of U.S. adults at different points in their lives, while specific subtypes determine how doctors diagnose and treat this condition. These types enable doctors to examine bipolar disorder more clearly, which aids in proper treatment planning.
Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia
Bipolar disorders exist in different forms, which experts identify through the patterns of mood episode intensity and length. The following clear breakdown reflects clinical criteria from the DSM-5 that distinguishes Bipolar I from Bipolar II, along with Cyclothymia:
Bipolar I Disorder
The most critical manifestation of bipolar disorder exists with one complete manic episode, which either extends through seven days or requires hospitalization. Manic condition generates intense energetic states and either elevated euphoria or irritability which leads to hazardous actions such as rapid spending and unrestrained travel, resulting in life disruptions. The 2020 research in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals that Bipolar I affects 1% of people worldwide, and severe phases increase psychosis risk.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II requires one complete major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, which shows milder symptoms of mania. Hypomanic periods require at least four days for diagnosis because affected individuals experience elevated mood coupled with increased energy, which produces beneficial results that avoid hospitalization. Bipolar II patients experience longer depressive periods than Bipolar I, according to data published in Bipolar Disorders in 2018.
Cyclothymia (Cyclothymic Disorder)
Cyclothymia exists as a less severe long-term condition that causes multiple mood fluctuations during a minimum two-year period for adults and one year for teenagers. Impairment criteria are not met during hypomanic or depressive episodes, which make up the swings of cyclothymia.
Signs Someone May Be Struggling With Bipolar Disorder
It is essential to identify the warning signs of Bipolar Disorder for prompt intervention to take place. A table below lists the main indicators of bipolar disorder
| Sign | Description |
| Mood Swings | Intense emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression) that last days or weeks. |
| Impulsive Behavior | Risky actions like spending sprees, reckless driving, or substance use. |
| Sleep Disturbances | Sleeping too little during mania or too much during depression. |
| Changes in Energy | Bursts of energy in manic episodes or extreme fatigue in depressive ones. |
| Speech Changes | Rapid or pressured speech during manic phases; slow speech when depressed. |
| Irritability or Aggression | Easily frustrated, angry, or hostile without a clear reason. |
| Withdrawal from Others | Avoiding social situations, work, or family due to mood changes. |
How to Deal With a Person With Bipolar Disorder During a Manic Episode
Being in a manic episode manifests through constant energy availability, quick speech, and spontaneous choices, together with behavior patterns different from prior personalities. It is crucial to answer manic behaviors with peaceful patience instead of getting aggravated. Several steps exist to assist someone during a manic episode.
- Stay calm and avoid arguing
- Keep conversations simple and clear
- Present the idea to them that they should take breaks while also enabling rest periods.
- Lower the environmental levels of both noise and stimulation.
- Avoid triggering an emotional response.
- Advise your teen to maintain his current treatment plan commitments.
- Individuals need to contact their mental health professional in case assistance is required.
- Take measures to protect safety whenever the patient’s actions turn hazardous.
How to Support Someone With Bipolar Disorder During a Depressive Episode
The periods of emotional and mental torment represent things beyond simple “bad moods.” You should be helping people around you facing these mood swings. There are multiple methods to help someone experiencing a depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
- They really face genuine difficulties that make it impossible for them to act in these ways.
- The performance of basic tasks such as cooking and running errands tends to become overwhelming for people in this situation.
- Help them remember their scheduled medication intake sessions or their therapy appointments.
- Simply being with someone while they need comfort provides valuable support, which does not require speaking.
- The act of merely listening provides the most meaningful support for someone going through depression. Taking responsibility for everything is not your duty.
- You should consult a professional for assistance when you worry about someone’s condition.
Communication Tips When Helping Someone With Bipolar Disorder
Providing effective communication stands as the most powerful instrument to help someone dealing with bipolar disorder. Global mood fluctuations of bipolar disorder affect how someone speaks, listens, or responds to others. The following communication strategies can provide helpful guidance.
- Use calm, supportive language
- Be a good listener
- Stay consistent
- Avoid blame or accusations
- Set boundaries respectfully
- Don’t argue during manic episodes
- Validate their feelings
- Encourage professional support
Taking Care of Your Own Mental Health While Offering Support
Being a supporter for someone who has bipolar disorder brings significant importance while also requiring a high level of emotional and mental effort. Your concern for their needs might cause you to focus your attention on your personal well-being. Procrastinating mental health care produces burnout, which results in both frustration and compassion fatigue, thus creating instability as a support resource.
Take time to establish boundaries and achieve adequate rest as well as follow your self-care practice with activities that bring you happiness. Consult someone you have trust in so they can hear about your mental state, including discussions with family members or therapists. The maintenance of your mental health involves no selfishness because it serves your basic requirement for vitality. A healthy state allows you to maintain sufficient support for your family member during their bipolar disorder journey.
Need Guidance? Contact La Jolla Mental Health Today
Support for someone dealing with bipolar disorder and personal emotional needs can still exist outside your attempts. La Jolla Mental Health provides expert professionals who support bipolar disorder patients in addition to patient families through personalized and compassionate treatment approaches.
At our clinic, we welcome anyone who needs discussion-based therapy or medication adjustment assessments, or personal conversation sessions to progress toward better health stability. Contact our organization to learn about the long-term mental health care that professional support delivers.
FAQs
What is the difference between bipolar disorder and manic depression?
Bipolar disorder represents the contemporary medical term that used to be called manic depression. Mental health diagnosis of mania and depression alternates as a single condition in both terms.
How do I deal with someone who is having a manic episode?
Maintain a steady emotional state while preventing arguments with others and decrease excessive stimulation present in the environment. Both safety assurance must be prioritized while offering gentle support for treatment compliance together with professional help-seeking.
Can I help someone with bipolar disorder without professional training?
The support you can provide to someone includes emotional backing, treatment promotion, and assistance with daily life maintenance. Treatment stability requires professional care because it ensures proper medical management.
What are the signs that a person needs immediate medical support?
Emergency medical care is necessary when someone displays suicidal thoughts along with psychotic signs or places themselves or others at risk, or cuts off from reality.
How can I protect my own mental health when supporting a bipolar loved one?
You can protect your mental health by incorporating these activities in your daily life:
- Set healthy boundaries
- Make time for self-care
- Don’t hesitate to talk to a mental health professional yourself
