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Learning about bipolar disorder. Learn everything you can about the symptoms and treatment options.

Encouraging the person to get help. The sooner bipolar disorder is treated, the better the prognosis, so urge your loved one to seek professional help right away.

Being understanding. Let your friend or family member know that you're there if they need a sympathetic ear, encouragement, or assistance with treatment. People with bipolar disorder are often reluctant to seek help because they don't want to feel like a burden to others, so remind the person that you care and that you'll do whatever you can to help.

Showing patience. Getting better takes time, even when a person is committed to treatment.

Some sentences to use to help your loved one with Bi-Polar disorder

“You're not alone in this. I'm here for you.”

“I understand that it's your illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.”

“You may not believe it now, but the way you're feeling can and will change.”

“I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help and support you.”

“You are important to me. Your life is important to me.”

Things to do to support a loved one through treatment

Find qualified doctors and therapists.

Set up appointments and go along.

Monitor your loved one's moods.

Learn about their medications.

Track treatment progress.

Watch for signs of relapse.

Alert the doctor to problems.

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The first step would be to seek out a psychiatrist or GP (general practitioner) so that you can come up with the next steps for management and treatment

A recommendation most physiatrists will make is to go on mood stabilizers/medication, some of the helpful medications include:

Lithium

Certain antipsychotic medication

Certain anticonvulsive medication

Certain benzodiazepine medication

These are to help stabilize and manage mania or hypomania.

An antipsychotic will also be offered, some of the useful ones include:

Haloperidol

Olanzapine

Quetiapine

Risperidone

You will also be offered depressive medication to treat depressive symptoms like self-harm and suicide, those medicines are:

Fluoxetine with Olanzapine

Quetiapine

Olanzapine or

Lamotrigine

Another treatment doctors will suggest and encourage is to attend cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy

A good choice for those with Bi-Polar disorder in Toronto (or near Toronto) would be to contact and join the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, they offer free support programs to people across Ontario, and their families, who are living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder (Telephone Support Line:1-888-486-8236)

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How does Bi-polar disorder effect someone emotionally?

Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low.

Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behavior, and agitation.

Depressive symptoms can include a lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts.

You can also have psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms can mean that you see and hear things that feel real, but they don’t exist which can be very emotionally draining and difficult.

How does Bi-polar disorder effect someone physically?

Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

Rapid heart rate

Heart palpitations

Increased pulse

High blood pressure

Increased or decreased sex drive

Increased or decreased appetite

Fluctuations in weight

Weakness and fatigue (especially after a manic episode)

Unexplained aches and pains

Abdominal pain

Nausea and/or vomiting

How does Bi-polar disorder effect someone socially?

Bi-polar disorder can cause people to have difficulty engaging in social situations, such as:

Avoiding social events

Not engaging in eye contact

Having low self-esteem

Around 21% of people who have bipolar disorder suffer from panic attacks

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The exact cause of Bi-polar disorder is still undiscovered, doctors and psychologists say that there are a number of factors that work to create this disorder in someone's mind, it is thought to be a complicated mix of social, physical, and environmental factors

Bi-polar disorder has proven to be genetic, meaning that it runs in families

No single gene is the cause for the disorder, rather multiple genetic and environmental factors that are thought to be triggers to spark the disorder.

Often a stressful circumstance or situation triggers the symptoms of Bi-Polar disorder.

Examples include:

1. Breakdown of a relationship

2. Physical, sexual or emotional abuse

3. Death of close family member or loved one

4. Physical illness

5. Sleep disturbances

6. Overwhelming problems in everyday life (Money, work, relationships)

There has been some research that has proven that Bi-Polar disease can stem from a chemical imbalance in the brain

It is suspected that the area of the brain that functions the brain's neurotransmitters, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine is affected by the disorder.

There is evidence that if there is an imbalance in the levels of one or more neurotransmitters a person will likely exhibit Bi-Polar tendencies.

Episodes of mania occur when the levels of adrenaline are too high, and then episodes of depression are a result of adrenaline levels being too low.

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Symptoms during the mania (the high’s/positive times):

Restlessness

Poor concentration

Increased energy and less need for sleep

Creating unrealistic plans

Less of an appetite

Drug and alcohol abuse

Impulsive

high self confidence

Easily distracted

Symptoms during depressive periods (the lows)

Loss of energy

Feeling hopeless or worthless

Uncontrollable crying

High irritability

Insomnia

Appetite changes (may lose or gain weight)

Thoughts of death or suicide

Attempting suicide

Signs you have Bi-Polar disorder

Short temper and very irritable

Racing thoughts

Reckless and poor judgment

Loss of interest in everyday activities

Difficulty concentrating and remembering thing

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Bi-Polar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

It is a disorder that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior.

People who have bipolar disorder can have times where they feel overly happy and energized and other times where they shift to very sad, hopeless, and sluggish.You can think of the highs and the lows as two "poles" of mood, which is why it's called "bipolar" disorder.

These feelings can also involve irritability and impulsive or reckless decision-making. About half of people during mania can also have delusions (believing things that aren't true and that they can't be talked out of) or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there).