How to deal with Bipolar (Mood) Disorder

However, with the right tools and a lot of patience, you can work with someone with Bipolar Disorder very easily.  Although someone with Bipolar Disorder can change moods at the drop of a dime, creating havoc and mayhem, and try the patience of the easiest going; if you know how to deal with it, and what is going on inside of them, you can keep things moving smoothly, quietly, and easily.  Bipolar Disorder is not a death warrant, it is a disease that can be treated.   If you believe you, or someone you know, has Bipolar Disorder seek medical assistance.  The disorder will only get worse if left untreated. 

First, Bipolar Disorder was previously known as Manic Depressive.  Bipolar Disorder is partially genetic----now don’t go getting yourself all worked up thinking you passed this horrible disease on to your child--most children with a family history do not develop the illness.  And, although children with a family history of Bipolar Disorder are four to six times more likely to develop the disease, genetics is not the only factor; in fact it is not the most dominate factor according to what they have discovered so far.  Some studies have shown that excess chemicals produced in the body, or the lack of some chemicals, can cause the disease onset.  These chemical imbalances can be caused by pollution, poor eating, poor health, or a simple imbalance in the system.  Environmental factors have been found to have a significant affect on the development of the disease.  Other studies have shown that someone who is susceptible to the disease might develop it faster if there is a high level of stress in their lives.  The full causes of Bipolar Disorder are not yet known and are still being studied.

First, their emotions can swing from one end of the scale to the other in a quick moment with no apparent cause.  Next, a person who is Bipolar may have difficulty socializing with those of their own age and training.  They may socialize better with much older or much younger people.  Also, someone with Bipolar Disorder may have difficulty living day to day without a set schedule that is followed to the letter.  They can’t have spontaneity without great anxiety, and often lose control of their emotions becoming combative and angry for little, or no, apparent reason.  A person with Bipolar Disorder can’t handle change very well; they can’t be given more than one set of instructions at a time; they can’t handle crowds; they can’t handle criticism; and they can’t handle silence.  No matter what the issue, Bipolar Disorder means that they have no control over the incidents or their responses to them.    

The first and most important step is understanding; someone with Bipolar Disorder cannot control what they do and how they react to things.  Once they begin to lose control of their situation, they are lost unless you can step in and help.  Understand that they are not being mean or cruel or violent on purpose, they need your help.  In fact, they want your help; it is the only solution for them; however, they can’t ask for it because they don’t know how.  That sounds crazy but it is true.  They find themselves in a situation that they can’t get out of and they know it is bad, wrong, incorrect, whatever you want to call it, but that only adds to their confusion. 

That is not easy because each situation becomes a unique opportunity to be more creative than the person with whom you are dealing.  Before you do anything, seek advice from the person's counselor if possible.  Their counselor will have insight into their individual situation and can suggest ways to help.  Talk to the person, they may want you to be a part of their therapy.  Also, there are a few common items that can help.

When the person is beginning to lose control, they are often loud, obnoxious, rude, perhaps even violent to those around them; you must remain calm.  This will create a pocket, or window, in which you can emotionally reach the person and help them to calm down.  Speak softly, which will cause them to have to quiet down to hear you.  Speak clearly using facts for emphasis.  Speak politely (this gives them a chance to respond in kind and helps to guide them back to reality).  For instance:  "Gary, please tell me what happened so I can help you."  NOT "Gary stop that, do you know what you look like?  You're embarassing me!"

The person needs to know that you are not condemning them for their actions, you are trying to help them work through the situation.  They need you to give them an easy path they can follow.  They need you to give them a hand and lead them back.  It's kind of like the victim who is drowning suddenly finding a life-jacket has been inflated around them and they are suddenly safe.  For example:  "Joan, honey, why don't you come with me and we can talk about it."  NOT "Oh, for crying out loud, Joan, can't you do anything without yelling?"

Give them something to distract them from the issue that is causing the problem.  They will direct their attention to the new item and will be able to calm down.  Then you can discuss the issue quietly, calmly, and productively.  These items are called ‘coping skills’ and can be as simple as a stress ball or as complicated as an incomplete friendship bracelet for them to finish.  Coping skills items should be kept with the person at all times. 

Work with the person to find things that will help them (not you) and provide them with a container or bag to carry their items.  Be sure to use items they already like and have done so that it is not too complicated when they need to calm down.  Also make sure there are more than 1 or 2 items so they can choose. 

The person will need to be able to focus on something other than what has occurred; however, if you give them something they don’t understand they will get more worked up trying to understand it.  Using pre-chosen items that you know the person can do and likes to do will help to draw them away from the issue and help to get them back on track. 

Ideas for Teens:

1. Have them write in a journal
2. Have them keep a stress ball handy
3. Have them use mini puzzle boards or blocks
4. Have them race from one place to another
5. Have them blow up a balloon or two
6. Have them work on a drawing
7. Have them do something they love to do

 Ideas for Adults:

1. Have them write in a journal
2. Have them keep a stress ball handy
3. Have them do a small craft like leather work or crocheting
4. Have them read a favorite poem
5. Have them read a book they like
6. Have them walk around the block-or the house
7. Have them Breathe Deeply while thinking of their favorite things

Places like Joann's, Walmart, and Staples have many items that can be used as 'coping skills'.

The little things that may be annoying but aren’t really hurting anything should be ignored.  Of course, that may be difficult at best, but if you can do it, the results will amaze you.  For example, if they are tapping their foot on the ground near you or they are humming something loudly, pretend it doesn't bother you.  They often do these things to try to focus and if you stop it, they may lose control.

Someone with Bipolar Disorder can lead a normal life with help, patience, and understanding.  So, can a person with Bipolar Disorder be productive in today’s society?  Yes, if they are trained to recognize the pattern that leads them to lose control and given the tools they need to break the pattern.  Bipolar People tend to be extremely intelligent and they tend to have little common sense.  Work with them.  Teach them.  Do not condemn them for any mistakes even if they seem foolish to you.  Compliment them when they succeed no matter how small the success is in your eyes.  Understand that they can learn to cope on their own.

Bipolar Disorder often co-exists with other issues which also must be addressed in order to be productive.  Issues like substance abuse, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), ADHD, and ADD.  In fact, often Bipolar Disorder is misdiagnosed as ADHD.

Remember the steps above and the things you have learned.  This will help you, and them, to cope with this disease that has begun to spread among so many people.  By helping them cope, you are helping them become the productive citizens they were meant to be; and you are helping others see that it can be overcome!