Learning to Support Bipolar Individuals by Listening

Non bipolar individuals do not understand the different world bipolar patients live in. These people see the world in a very different way because the chemical signals in the brain are either sending the wrong signals or not at all. It can be compared to two people looking in on an accident, both individuals have seen the same accident, but differ in their perceptions and emotions.

Those with the condition are paranoid with life and have the notion that people cannot feel what they are going through and understand  a bipolar mood swing. Bipolar patients look at life from an ugly perspective they feel ugly and see themselves as looking ugly. Danger seems to be everywhere, colors look weird and they hate being in a  crowd with lots of  energy. The thought of feeling good can terrify them. Those living with a bipolar victim can offer a great support  by lending a listening ear. These victims can be your very own children, parents, cousins or other members of a nuclear family. You as a family can form the first bipolar support group to help them look at why they think the way they think, feel and what it is that makes them see the world as it is.

First Line of Support

Those living with a bipolar person must realize that they are the first people that must know what to do to support their relative who is a bipolar patient. There are two kinds of people we often come across, those who know they are sick and need help and others who cannot admit they are sick and so do not want to seek help. When bipolar medications is not working well, people will look for other alternative to make them better and so will ask anybody for help. You can help greatly as a friend or relative by spending time with them, talking and listening. By doing this, they begin to share their emotions and deepest thoughts – we don’t realize that they also want company.

Charting

Either as a parent or caregiver you as a bipolar supporter must first track the sick person’s day. Chart down their attitudes, moods and their behaviors and at what time of the day for this will be helpful especially if certain behaviors are happening at certain times of the day and for your sessions together. You must not rely on them to do this because they are not capable due to the short term memory problem.

Throwing Back

“Tracking” comes in handy when it comes to feedback sessions as it will allow you to tell them what happened and how they have reacted to certain situations. If they did something really good; it is important to convey how well they have handled the situation and also bring to their attention what they use to do before. Bipolar patients need to see what they are doing wrong and then CAREFULLY bring it to their attention, understanding the problem as a supporter and not aggravate the problem even more. If they are doing something right they need to know what it is and learn for themselves what they did, capitalize and continue doing it.

Giving Your Ears

Most people would rather talk offering suggestions than offering a listening ear. You as a bipolar supporter can just listen and ask questions to allow them to express  all that is in their mind. Even if you can’t help just listen and talk, for anybody that listens is a great help. You don’t have to have a direct clear answer; most people just want people to listen to them.