I recently started taking care of a lady with bipolar disorder. does anyone have any tips?

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Answers:
Education. Read the Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Amazon link below). It's an excellent book on th esubject, and will give you a very good idea what to expect and how to deal with it.

You should also visit one of the many online support groups below.

i have 1 tip. but i also have some advice forya.
never give a bipolar koke. dont kno y just dont. and same with other stimulants, but uhhh ya

Be there for her, encourage her to keep a mood diary. By doing this you will both be able to start to recognise any patterns or triggers that may be assosciated with her illness. Encourage her to see her illness not as a hinderance, but as energy that can be harnessed positively. Point out the number of successful people who have a bipolar illness - there are many writers, actors and artists etc. Don't ever treat anything she says as something stupid. Never take any action behind her back as this will damage any trust between you.

I wish I knew the extent of what you are experiencing with this lady. That would help a great deal. However, having grown up with a sister that is not only bipolar but also manic depressive, I do undertand this mental disorder very well. Honestly, what you need to do is comunicate with her on whatever mental level she may be on at that time. Smile, touch her hand, shoulder, knee, whatever seems most comfortable at the time and tell her if she can explain to you what she is feeling, you will try to understand. And it is OK to let her/him know that you would like to help but they have to let you. For the most part, you have to bring them back down to reality. I saw where someone had answered have her write down what they are feeling. That is a good idea, but I would like to add to that. I do not know how much time you have with this person while you are working with her, but do ask her to write down what she is feeling and teel her that you will do the same and they can help you with your fears as you help them with theirs. This will let her feel significant, and also get her in touch with what is going on with her.The most important thing you can do is let her know you are there to help her and you care. Otherwise, they can easily start distrusting you. This is difficult because you have to remember that this is your job, not your life. So while doing all you can to help, be straight forward and honest, that will help you develop a seperation between work and home. Good luck..I really do know that this is difficult work. You can email me if you would like with more questions and more specifics. I would not mind helping. God Bless

I sincerely wish you better luck than I and my two children had.

All the reading, groups, the meds he was on, only led to one
situation after another. I wish encouragement was the answer to this mental condition, unfortunately it is not.

To have a choice a bi-polar or not, in my situation, I would definitely take the non bi-polar.

Life has many ups and downs as it is, the fast running roller coaster the bi-polar lives, is just too much for most people.

Check out some groups for 'those who love bi-polars' and
attend before you become more involved.

Good luck to you.

I recently started taking care of a lady with bipolar disorder. does anyone have any tips?

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