Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression, is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic mental health illness. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by noticeable, unprovoked, sometimes extreme, changes in mood and behavior, that typically present as severe episodic mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (manias) to emotional lows (depressions) with intervals of stable moods. Bipolar disorder affects nearly 4.4% adults in America. Although not uncommon, receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be challenging not only for the identified patient, but also often leaves his or her loved ones at a loss for how best to articulate their support. Rather than focusing on what to say to someone when they are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, consider showing your support through the following suggestions:
- Educate yourself: learn everything you can about bipolar disorder, because the more information you know about it the better you will be able to help.
- Encourage them to track their mood: monitoring one’s daily mood can help illuminate certain factors that may influence one’s mood (e.g., sleep, medication, events, etc.).
- Consistency is key: help your loved one develop a daily schedule, as adhering to a schedule provides consistency and routine, which can help him or her maintain stability.
- Model healthy habits: cultivating your own healthy habits can be mutually beneficial, be sure to:
- Prioritize sleep hygiene: poor sleep habits can affect your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), which can have a negative impact on your mood.
- Engage in physical activity and exercise regularly: exercising is one of the body’s natural ways of releasing endorphins, which help to reduce pain and increase pleasure, making you feel happier and enhancing your overall mood.
- Eat nutritiously: food is the fuel for your body, and what you eat plays a large role not only in the physical health of your body but also in your mental health.
- Practice mindfulness: try different relaxation exercises to quiet your mind, like yoga or meditation. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.
- Maintain open lines of communication: create an emotionally safe environment for your loved one to share and listen.
- Be active in their treatment process: Treatment plans for bipolar disorder often include a combination of psychotherapy and medication, which involves attending many different appointments. Ask if you can accompany them to doctor visits or therapy sessions.
A person with bipolar disorder will have moods that are unpredictable, which can make it difficult to predict how they will react or cope in any given moment. Although arduous at times, being a reliable and consistent source of support through the various ups and downs that are inevitable with bipolar disorder, can help them to remain more positive, stick with their treatment plan, and ultimately enhance their quality of life.
Treatment In Calabasas
Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.
The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.
