Living With Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Living with someone that has bipolar disorder is not an easy task, but there are ways to make it easier on you and your loved one. Life with someone with a mental illness can be a tough ride with so many ups and downs that you may feel like you are going insane, as well. Keeping an open heart can make a big impact on their lives, as well as your own. 

Living With Someone That is Medicated

If they are medicated for their mental illness, they are still going to go through a few issues. Depending on the dose of their medication, they may end up sleeping a lot more or just sluggish in general. While it is frustrating, it is important to keep in mind that they do have an illness and that the alternative could be far worse than having someone around that sleeps for most of the day. 

If they are medicated and truly balanced, they will be able to work and interact. They will find that they are doing more things that they used to love to do again. This is when things are really working out well for them. Embrace it, because there will be ups and downs.

Living with Someone Untreated

People that are untreated will make things far more complex, but if you love them--you will suffer through it as best as possible. Being there for them and trying to accept their small indiscretions will be beneficial. It is important to remember that when they are a danger to themselves or other people, you have a responsibility to step in and do something to protect them. This may mean having to have them institutionalized, for example. The goal is to make sure that they are medicated, so that they can find the proper balance.