Bipolar Disorder; It is a mental disorder that is included in the mood disorders class and can cause serious problems if left untreated. The disease causes a person to engage in risky behavior, and these risky behaviors can harm a person's relationships and career. During this process, the person experiences changes in mood ranging from mania to depression. The person may experience normal mood from time to time.
People during the manic period; They become individuals who are strong, self-confident, hyperactive, talkative, energetic, careless, shop too much, are easily distracted, have a decreased need for sleep, have impaired judgment, are extremely angry, do not accept the disease, talk excessively and fast, and have excessive and risky sexual desires. .
In the depressive period; Anger, intolerance, feeling of guilt, confusion, irritability, sadness, unhappiness, crying, feeling of worthlessness, reluctance, loss of energy, sleep problems and loss of pleasure occur.
Spring- During the summer months, people often show manic symptoms. In particular, the person may experience exuberance, exuberance, impulsivity, reactive behavior, aggression, outbursts of anger, excessive spending of money, and exuberance.
*It is necessary to be very careful, especially when transitioning from spring to summer months.
In the autumn-winter months, depressive symptoms such as depression, stagnation, unhappiness, hopelessness and crying are usually observed.
If a If someone close to you or someone you care about has bipolar disorder, the treatment process can be much more effective and the recovery process much faster with your love and support.
By being informed about bipolar disorder, you can help the patient You can help the patient by instilling hope, giving support, following the symptoms and being with the patient during the treatment process.
But this is the most important detail; While supporting the patient, you should not neglect your own life and health, and establish a balance between the care you give to yourself and the support you give to the patient.
How Can We Help a Person Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?
The elevation experienced during bipolar disorder e (mania) and lows (depression) are difficult situations to cope with, both for the patient himself and for his close circle. Changes in a person's mood and behavior affect everyone around him. But most people diagnosed with bipolar disorder; He can manage to balance his mood with appropriate treatment, medication and the support of his relatives.
Know More About the Disease: Learn as much as you can about the disease. (What are the symptoms of this disease, what are the treatment options, etc.) The more you know, the more you can help and support your patient relative.
Encouraging the Person to Get Help: The earlier the disease is diagnosed and The earlier the treatment process is started, the more successful the healing process of the disease will be. For this reason, encouraging your relatives to see a doctor will be one of the most important help you can give them. The thought that the disease will go away on its own or decrease will cause the problems experienced to increase even more.
Be Understanding: Make your relative feel that you are with him/her. Listen to him, encourage him about the course of the disease. Often people with this disorder do not want to get help because they are afraid of being a burden to others. But make them feel that you are always with them and that you care about them in every situation.
Be Patient: It takes a certain time for the patient to enter the healing process. You always need to be patient in this process. Never expect a quick recovery. Bipolar disorder is a disease that needs to be controlled throughout life.
Why is the Support of Family / Relatives Important?
Family and environmental support are of great importance in bipolar disorder. According to researches; People with bipolar disorder who receive love and support from their environment recover faster, experience less manic and depressive periods, and experience fewer symptoms of the disease.
Bipolar Disorder and Family:
Bipolar disorder can cause stress and tension in the family. Family members can cope with these problems by accepting the illness and the difficulties that may be experienced. Remember that mental illnesses are not anyone's fault.
Although the problems experienced with the treatments are largely resolved, some symptoms appear to persist for a long time. For this reason, it is always necessary to be realistic and not have too high expectations.
What are the Ways to Cope with Bipolar Disorder in the Family?
Accept the Limits of Your Sick Relative: They may not be able to get out of the depression process suddenly or they may not be able to control going into a manic episode. It is not possible for a person to get through these processes on his own or with your advice. In particular, you should avoid using phrases such as 'stop acting crazy' or 'look at the positive side of things'.
Accept Your Own Limits: It is not possible to save a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder from this disease on our own. You can only provide support.
Reducing stress: Stress causes the problems of the patient with bipolar disorder to increase even more. Therefore, you need to help the person remove or stay away from factors that cause stress from his life. Ask the patient how you can help him. Offer to share the responsibilities with the patient. Help him create an orderly life. (such as waking up at a certain time in the morning, eating at a certain time, going to bed at a certain time, etc.)
Communicate Openly and Honestly: Always be open and honest with the patient. Share your concerns, ask him how he feels, listen to him with patience and respect even if you disagree.
What You Need to Say:
You are not alone, I am with you.
What you are experiencing is a real disease. This is the source of these thoughts and feelings.
You may not believe it now, but with the treatment we receive, these problems you are experiencing will pass.
Maybe I may not understand exactly what you are feeling. But I care about what you are going through and I want to help.
You are important to me. Your life is important to me.
How Can You Convince a Patient to See a Doctor?
In addition to providing emotional support, the best way to help a patient diagnosed with bipolar encourage him to go to the doctor and continue his treatment regularly. It is to support a.
It may not be possible for a person suffering from bipolar disorder to fully understand his/her situation. Therefore, it may not be easy to persuade him to go to the doctor. When they are in a manic episode, they feel so good that they don't realize they have problems. When they are depressed, they realize that something is wrong and do not have the energy to seek help.
If your relative does not want to accept the possibility of bipolar disorder, do not argue with him or her about it. This idea may seem scary to him. In this case, you can suggest that he have a regular check-up. If necessary, you can call the doctor in advance and give information about your relative's condition.
What You Need to Say:
Bipolar disorder is a real disease. Just like diabetes. That's why it requires regular medical treatment.
No one can blame you for having bipolar disorder. It's not your fault and you didn't cause it.
You can feel better. There are various treatment methods that can help you.
If bipolar disorder is left untreated, it can get progressively worse.
How Can You Support the Patient During the Treatment Process?
After your relative accepts treatment, you need to start supporting him/her during the treatment process. Because your support can make serious changes in the treatment process.
Find an experienced and equipped doctor.
Share your own observations with the doctor.
What he uses Have detailed information about medications.
Follow the treatment process closely.
Inform your doctor about the problems experienced.
Medication use helps regulate the mental state and renew the disease. It is one of the most important building blocks of treatment as it reduces the possibility of But many people refuse or interrupt medication use. Some people quit because they feel better, some enjoy being in the manic phase, and some are disturbed by the side effects. You should always encourage the patient about the importance of medication use and the need for regular use. At the same time, you should support your patient's relative in talking to the doctor about medication intake and its side effects. Regulation of medications You should remind your relative from time to time that leaving scars and sudden scars can have very dangerous consequences.
You should closely follow the symptoms in case the disease recurs:
>Even though an individual with bipolar disorder starts treatment, symptoms may occasionally worsen. At this point, it is very important to follow your relative regularly and consult your doctor at the slightest change.
Changes During the Transition to Mania:
Sleeping less,
Excessive increase in self-confidence,
Excessive cheerfulness,
Inability to sit still,
Fast talking,
Increase in activity level,
A lot of money spending,
Exuberance,
Easy anger.
Depression Changes During the Transition Process:
Sleeping too much or irregular sleep,
Fatigue easily, weakness,
Concentration impairment,
Unhappiness,
Apathy,
Reluctance,
Isolation from other people,
How Can You Cope with Mania and Depression?
>
Especially when they are in the middle of a manic phase, people can often say hurtful or embarrassing things. A person in mania; May act thoughtlessly, cruelly, aggressively or critically. Similarly, if a person is depressed; He may be irritable and irritable, rejecting everything. These behaviors should not be evaluated personally and it should never be forgotten that they are the result of the disease.
While they are in the fasting period, they may exhibit destructive and irresponsible behavior from time to time. Plan in advance what you should do in the face of such behavior. Make mutual agreements, especially when you are sick and well. For example; such as taking out credit cards, taking car keys, going to the doctor when the symptoms increase.
Know What Happens in a Crisis: You should know very well what is happening in a crisis and what you should do. Thus, it is possible to take faster and more effective measures.
Read: 0
