Does someone I know have bipolar? (+7 Ways to help)
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The following article will be explaining if someone you know has bipolar by checking out the main signs and symptoms of this mood disorder. Furthermore, we will also be explaining what you can do if someone you know has bipolar.
Does someone I know have bipolar?
Someone you know may have bipolar if they are exhibiting the following symptoms,
- Having unusually high energy levels
- Speaking really fast
- Inability to sit still
- Acting very elated and happy for no reason
- Feeling very grandiose and confident
- Taking impulsive decisions
- Spending way too much money
- Eating too much or to less
- Sleeping too much or too less
- Having suicidal ideations
- Isolating oneself from family and friends
Having unusually high energy levels
Having very high energy levels all of a sudden can be caused by bipolar disorder, especially the manic phase. If someone you know has been acting very energetic all of a sudden and taking on new projects with more gusto, this may be a sign that they have bipolar disorder.
Speaking really fast
Pressured speech is another sign of the manic phase of bipolar. Pressured speech is not just talking very fast but also overlapping in topics constantly without any relevance to each other. This can also be a sign of bipolar disorder.
Inability to sit still
If someone you know is unable to sit still for long periods of time and can be seen fidgeting and restless, this can also be a sign of the manic phase. On the other hand, the depressive phase of bipolar disorder causes a person to sit still for long periods of time without moving much.
Acting very elated and happy for no reason
Manic phases of bipolar disorder can also cause a person to become very elated and excited. If someone you know has been acting too happy for no particular reason, or is showing too much excitement for a small factor, this could be the sign of mania in bipolar disorder.
Feeling very grandiose and confident
Manic phases in bipolar disorder can also cause a person to feel extremely grandiose and confident. They may have delusions of grandeur and may have a very inflated self-esteem. As a result, they may even take part in very risky businesses and activities.
Taking impulsive decisions
High levels of impulsivity can also be seen in bipolar disorder, particularly in the manic phase of this mood disorder. If someone you know can be seen taking decisions impulsively without thinking them through, this can be a sign that they are struggling with bipolar disorder.
Spending way too much money
Overspending is another sign of the manic phase of bipolar disorder. The person may overdraft all their credit cards and may even take loans to buy things that they don’t need. They may also show a lot of agitation when they are confronted about their spending habits.
Eating too much or to less
Bipolar disorder can also lead to sudden and unexplained changes in the eating habits of the person. Manic phases can lead to an increased appetite, while the depressive phase of the disorder can lead to a completely diminished appetite.
Sleeping too much or too less
Sleep patterns can also be affected when a person has bipolar disorder. Often, in the manic phase, the person may feel that they don’t need any sleep at all. In the depressive phase, the person may sleep for long hours but still feel very fatigued and tired constantly.
Having suicidal ideations
Suicidal ideations and thoughts can also be felt during bipolar disorder, particularly in the manic phase. As a result, immediate professional help should be given to anyone who is showing signs of bipolar disorder.
Isolating oneself from family and friends
Social withdrawal can also be seen in bipolar disorder. While in manic phases, the person may suddenly become very extroverted and social in depressive phases the person may isolate themselves and not interact with anyone.
What to do if someone you know has bipolar?
If someone you know has been showing signs and symptoms of bipolar, you can do many things to help them. The most important thing that you need to do is to take them to consult with a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis.
In case the diagnosis for bipolar has been confirmed, treatment in the form of medication and psychotherapy may be immediately started. The medication mostly includes mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
As a friend, you can also help through certain coping strategies which you can practice at home or anywhere. A few of these coping strategies have been detailed in the following points.
Encourage them to continue their treatment
Through treatment in the form of medication and psychotherapy, bipolar disorder can actually be easily managed without much effect on daily activities. You can do your part to help your friend by encouraging them to stick to their treatment properly.
Learn more about the disorder
If you really want to help someone you know who is struggling with bipolar disorder, you can improve your own awareness of bipolar disorder. When you understand more about the illness and what can worsen it, you will be in a better position to help your friend.
Provide the right emotional support
Learning that you have a mental illness cannot be easy for anyone. In this situation, you can help your friend by providing the right emotional support and being there for them. You can also help them create a support system, consisting of you, their family and other trusted friends.
Help them stick to a routine
Sticking to a certain routine can actually help someone you know deal with their bipolar disorder. As someone who cares for them, you can help them set a certain routine depending on their current mood and encourage them to stick to it so that they have more control.
Practice meditation with them
Meditation and mindfulness can also help in calming a person down, especially when they are struggling with the highs and lows caused by bipolar. You can help your friend by being their meditation buddy and practicing this useful skill with them.
Remind them of trigger factors
Another thing that you can do is to understand the various factors which trigger their moods. You can also remind them of these trigger factors so that they are wise enough to stay away from them or simply cope with them in a better manner.
Take care of your mental health
While it is great that you are taking steps to help your friend cope with their bipolar disorder, you need to understand that this may also negatively affect your own mental health. Therefore, you need to take active measures to take care of your own mental health.
By taking care of your mental health, you will become more self-aware as to what coping tools and techniques work for you. This knowledge can also be useful in helping your friend cope with their disorder.
Another advantage that taking care of your mental health can bring to the table is that you will be able to put yourself out as a role-model and an example that your friend can follow in their own journey to better mental health.
Conclusion
The following article has explained if someone you know has bipolar by checking out the main signs and symptoms of this mood disorder. Furthermore, we have also explained what you can do if someone you know has bipolar.
If you like this article, please post your comments and questions in the space below.
Citations
Take Control of Your Bipolar Disorder Today: Get Personalized Therapy with BetterHelp
