Disease: bipolar disorder
Question: for bipolar disorder, tips for coping and support?
Answer: If you�ve noticed symptoms of bipolar disorder, a good first step involves reaching out to a doctor or therapist as soon as possible.
Similarly, if a friend or loved one has symptoms, consider encouraging them to connect with a therapist as soon as possible. It never hurts to remind them that they have your understanding and support.
Here�s how you can support a loved one living with bipolar disorder.
Always take suicidal thoughts and behavior seriously
It�s not uncommon to have thoughts of suicide during an episode of depression or a mixed features mood episode.
Remember that you�re not alone, and help is available 24/7, 365 days a year. To get confidential support, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text �HOME� to 741741.
If you think someone is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or someone else:
Stay with them if you can. If not, call for help and support.
Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
Listen, but don�t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
Learn more about helping someone during a crisis and get more crisis resources.
Was this helpful?
Living with bipolar disorder
Treatment can help you manage mood episodes and cope with the symptoms they cause.
Creating a care team can help you get the most out of treatment. Your team might involve:
your primary doctor
a psychiatrist who manages your medications
a therapist or counselor who provides talk therapy
other professionals or specialists, such as a sleep specialist, acupuncturist, or massage therapist
a bipolar disorder support group or community of other people also living with bipolar disorder
You may need to try a few treatments before you find one that leads to improvement. Some medications work well for some people but not others. In a similar vein, some people find CBT very helpful, while others may see little improvement.
It�s always best to be open with your care team about what works and what doesn�t. If something doesn�t help or makes you feel even worse, don�t hold back from letting them know. Your mental health matters and your care team should always support you in finding the most helpful approach.
A little self-compassion can go a long way, too. Remember that bipolar disorder, like any other mental health condition, didn�t happen by choice. It�s not caused by anything you did or didn�t do.
It�s OK (and pretty common) to feel frustrated when treatment doesn�t seem to work. Try to have patience and treat yourself kindly as you explore new approaches.
Bipolar disorder and relationships
Bipolar disorder can affect your relationships. But these effects might appear most clearly in your closest relationships, like those with family members and romantic partners.
When it comes to managing a relationship while living with bipolar disorder, honesty can always help. Being open about your condition can help your partner better understand your symptoms and how they can offer support.
You might consider starting with a few basic details, including:
how long you�ve had the condition
how episodes of depression usually affect you
how episodes of mania usually affect you
your treatment approach, including therapy, medication, and coping strategies
anything they can do to help
Want more tips on maintaining a healthy relationship when you or a partner has bipolar disorder? Our guide can help.