Bipolar Disorder is a complex, often misunderstood mental health condition. If you’re in a relationship with someone who suffers from this disorder, you’re probably already aware of the challenges that come up when your partner is dealing with difficult symptoms.
As someone who loves and cares for this person, you’re probably looking for supportive actions you can take to help your partner manage their condition. If so, keep reading to learn more about Bipolar Disorder and what you can do to support your partner during their most difficult days.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder, which was once referred to as Manic Depression, is a mental health disorder characterized by severe mood fluctuations between mania and depression. Three major variations of the disorder are included in the bipolar group, including Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder.
Bipolar I Disorder involves manic episodes, which can cause an individual to experience an increase in energy levels, some form of euphoria or agitation. The individual will also experience depressive episodes which cause him or her to feel hopeless, exhausted, and lost. People with this type of bipolar condition usually experience neutral periods in addition to mania and depression.
Bipolar II Disorder involves at least one major depressive episode as well as one hypomanic episode (a less intense form of mania). People with this type of bipolar condition usually experience other mental health issues, such as anxiety or addiction.
Cyclothymic Disorder is seen as a less severe form of the bipolar group, though the individual usually experiences rapid cycles of hypomania and depression. The cycles occur more frequently than they do in the first two bipolar types, but the symptoms are usually less intense.
How Does Bipolar Disorder Manifest?
Bipolar Disorder can cause an individual to experience severe mood swings, ranging from intense depressive episodes to periods of mania or hypomania.
Depressive episodes trigger sadness and hopelessness in those affected, meaning that during one of these cycles, a bipolar individual will express negative feelings and behaviors.
Manic or hypomanic episodes will trigger irritability, euphoria, or periods of increased energy.
These mood swings can occur occasionally or several times per year depending on the individual’s unique condition.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is complicated, and individuals who are affected by it experience a variety of symptoms depending on whether they’re experiencing a manic episode or a depressive episode.
Below are the most common symptoms bipolar individuals deal with during both manic and depressive episodes.
Manic/Hypomanic Episodes:
- Increased energy levels
- Talking more than usual, or exhibiting faster speech patterns
- Racing thoughts/disorganized thinking
- Decrease in sleep hours
- Partaking in risky behaviors
- Heightened mood/euphoria
Depressive Episodes:
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Intense sadness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble concentrating
- Slowed speech or movement
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
How To Support Your Partner with Bipolar Disorder
As with many mental health conditions, partners of those affected usually want to do what they can to help their loved one manage the symptoms they experience.
If your partner deals with Bipolar Disorder, here are a few things you can do in order to be supportive.
Learn About Bipolar Disorder
Even though you can’t fully understand your partner’s experience from their own point of view, you can take steps toward enhancing your understanding of the disorder. Visit reputable websites and read medically-approved literature that covers this type of mental health condition. Learning about how Bipolar Disorder affects your partner can help you be a more understanding and supportive ally.
Create an Action Plan
The actions you take to help your partner get through a cycle will depend greatly on what sort of emotional state they’re currently in.
Work together to create an action plan that includes helpful steps to take when your partner is in a state of mania, hypomania, or depression. While it can be difficult to make sense of a person’s symptoms at the height of experiencing them, discussing your action plan during neutral moods will likely help you develop the most useful approach.
Show Your Support
Remind your partner that you’re there for them when they need you. Express the fact that you care about this person and you’re willing to do what you can to help. Sometimes, knowing that someone is in their corner can make a person suffering from a mental health condition feel less alone.
Have Open, Honest Discussions
Caring for a partner who struggles with Bipolar Disorder isn’t easy. Sometimes, the symptoms that manifest can be incredibly challenging, so it’s important to be open with your partner about those challenges. Avoid placing blame, but if you find any cycle-related behaviors especially difficult to handle, express those feelings. While your partner may not be able to alter the way they feel, they might be able to address your concerns and attempt to utilize helpful advice and resources their mental health provider presents.
For example, if your partner goes on spending sprees during manic episodes, you might note that this behavior is financially difficult to recover from. Upon discussing your options, you and your partner may come up with a system designed to prevent reckless spending during these episodes.
Be Vigilant
Keep an eye out for potential triggers or clues that announce the beginning of a depressive or manic phase. If you can avoid triggers, do your best to guide your partner. If the phase has already started, do what you can to help them stay safe while they’re struggling.
Encourage Professional Care
Because mental health conditions can be incredibly complex, it’s a good idea to encourage your partner to seek professional help. If he or she has already started treatment for Bipolar Disorder, monitor their progress. Ask questions and see what you can do to get involved. Discuss the therapist’s instructions so that you can follow them closely.
Finally, try not to take their symptoms personally. Bipolar Disorder can be overwhelming, but your partner isn’t experiencing depression or mania because of something you did. Sometimes, severe cycles occur and your partner may struggle significantly during these periods.
Do what you can to be there for them, but don’t forget to take care of yourself as well.
If your or your partner is looking for professional help, contact us at DK Therapy here.
