Supporting Someone with Bipolar Disorder
- Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder can make a huge difference in their well-being, but it also takes patience, consistency, and self-awareness. Here are some practical ways you can help:
1. Learn About Bipolar Disorder
Educate yourself on the condition, its symptoms, and how manic and depressive episodes may show up.
Understanding that mood swings are part of the illness (not intentional behavior) helps you respond with more empathy.
Reliable resources: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Mayo Clinic, NHS, or trusted mental health organizations.
2. Be Supportive Without Trying to "Fix"
Listen actively: Sometimes the best support is simply being there and validating their feelings.
Avoid minimizing: Don’t say “just cheer up” or “calm down”—these can feel dismissive.
Encourage treatment: Gently remind them to follow their doctor’s advice, take medication, and attend therapy, but don’t push in a controlling way.
3. Recognize Early Warning Signs
Work with them (if they’re comfortable) to notice triggers or early signals of a manic or depressive episode.
Examples: trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, withdrawal, changes in speech or spending habits.
Knowing these cues can help prevent escalation or encourage timely professional support.
4. Offer Practical Help
During depressive episodes, daily tasks (meals, chores, bills) can feel overwhelming—offering hands-on help can ease the burden.
During mania, they may take risks—support can mean helping set boundaries, e.g., gently discouraging impulsive spending.
5. Set Healthy Boundaries
Supporting someone does not mean sacrificing your own well-being.
Be clear about what you can and cannot do (for example, you can listen, but you’re not their therapist).
Encourage them to build a wider support system (friends, family, professionals).
6. Encourage Consistency
Routine can help stabilize moods: encourage regular sleep, balanced meals, exercise, and avoiding alcohol/drugs.
Offer to join them in healthy activities (like walks, meal prep, or yoga).
7. Take Care of Yourself Too
Caregiver burnout is real—make sure you have your own outlets, support networks, and time to rest.
Consider joining a support group for families/friends of people with bipolar disorder.
✅ Key takeaway: The most powerful things you can do are listen, be patient, encourage
treatment, and maintain healthy boundaries. You don’t have to solve everything—you just
have to show that they’re not alone.
✅ Supportive Things to Say
These phrases show empathy, respect, and encouragement without being dismissive.
“I’m here for you.”
“That sounds really hard. Do you want to talk about it?”
“I care about you and want to support you however I can.”
“Would it help if I just listened, or would you like advice?”
“You’re not alone in this.”
“I’m proud of how hard you’re working to manage this.”
“Do you want me to go with you to your appointment?”
“It’s okay to take things one step at a time.”
❌ Things to Avoid Saying
These often feel invalidating, judgmental, or oversimplified.
“Just snap out of it.”
“Everyone feels like that sometimes.”
“Why are you acting so crazy?”
“You don’t need medication/therapy, just be positive.”
“This is all in your head.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“You should be grateful—you have nothing to be sad about.”
“You’re too much to handle.”
🌱 Helpful Tips When Speaking
Use “I” statements: e.g., “I’m worried because I care about you” instead of “You’re scaring me.”
Focus on listening more than fixing.
Match your tone to their state: calm, gentle, and consistent.
Sometimes silence + presence is more powerful than words.
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