I Think My Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder. What Should I Do?

When people begin to struggle with their mental health, they sometimes don’t realize it or feel ashamed that there might be something “wrong” with them. This is especially true for personality and mood disorders, which can have a big impact on people’s personal lives and relationships. 

At 2nd Chance Treatment Center, with practice locations in Phoenix, Glendale, and Gilbert, Arizona, our team of board-certified psychiatrists can help your loved one find an accurate diagnosis. We can also guide you in how to talk about bipolar disorder without complicating your relationship with your loved one. 

Understanding bipolar disorder 

There are many misconceptions and a lot of misinformation surrounding bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder aren’t trying to be unpredictable and hard to handle, but they can act in ways that might strike you as odd or frustrating without context. 

Bipolar disorder can cause slow or fast cycling between two major moods: mania and depression. These cycles can last anywhere from days to weeks to even months until everything either stabilizes for a period of time or swings in another direction. 

Mania can make your loved one seem excited, easily distracted, overly talkative, or even irresponsible. They might make rash decisions and impulsive purchases, or overinvest money, time, or energy into work or hobbies.

Depression can cause periods of irritability and low mood, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or regret, and even suicidal ideation. 

Talking to your loved one 

If you’ve noticed a cycle of mania and depression in your loved one, you might be tempted to diagnose them yourself. The truth is that this kind of intervention can do more harm than good. Armchair psychiatry is never a good plan, and you don’t want to deter your loved one from seeking professional help. 

There is massive stigma surrounding bipolar disorder, so even bringing up the topic might make someone uncomfortable. This can increase their resistance to seeking help, especially if they feel confronted, accused, or attacked by the idea. 

Instead of trying to tell someone what mental health condition you think they might have, ask them about their symptoms without labeling them. As they describe their experiences, let them know how this is helping you understand them better. Tell them that you never thought about it their way, and that you see why they’re acting the way they do. 

As time goes on, don’t be afraid to ask for their own opinion on their mental health. Do they think they might have depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition? If they’re starting to realize that their behavior is damaging to themselves and others, this opens the door to deeper discussions. 

If you do eventually bring up bipolar disorder, make it unrelated to them. Talk about the symptoms of a character in a show, for example, showing compassion and not judgment. Your loved one can make the connections themselves. 

Eventually, if they show interest or start to bring up the possibility that they have a condition with you, then it’s a good time to recommend a professional and offer to drive them and wait for them so they don’t feel alone. 

At 2nd Chance Treatment Center, we offer diagnosis and various treatment options for bipolar disorder, including medication and behavioral therapy. To learn more about bipolar disorder, schedule a consultation by calling the location closest to you, or make an appointment online.