Anyone can develop bipolar disorder, including children and teens. However, most people with bipolar disorder develop it in their late teen or early adult years. The illness usually lasts a lifetime.

Bipolar “mood episodes” include unusual mood changes along with unusual sleep habits, activity levels, thoughts, or behavior. In a child, these mood and activity changes must be very different from their usual behavior and from the behavior of other children. A person with bipolar disorder may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed” episodes. A mixed episode has both manic and depressive symptoms. These mood episodes cause symptoms that last a week or two or sometimes longer. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day.

Take action today in helping someone you know or love who may have Bipolar Disorder with these 10 Tips:

1. Managing mania:
   When someone is diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder, they experience manic episodes that are debilitating and due to significant threats of harm, they are usually hospitalized until the episode subsides. When diagnosed with Bipolar 1 can be observed if depression is not present. On the other hand, Bipolar 2 disorder will always include hypomanic episodes throughout the mood cycling. When trying to help manic or hypomanic episodes, try to maintain a safe and secure environment. Due to tendencies of engaging in risky behaviors, keep the person calm and kept supervised.

2. Dealing with depression. Depressive signs and symptoms can be observed in both Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 disorders. However, Bipolar 2 disorders presents criteria for depression to potential become so debilitating that suicidal ideation or attempts are usually recurrent. For this reason, most people will be hospitalized or under a high level of care until their depression decreases. During depressive episodes, maintain positivity, fun activity, sense of life purpose, and hope for progress. Use positive reinforcement for encouragement and avoid criticism.

3. Inconsistent sleeping. Depression can cause hypersomnia or insomnia that can persists for weeks. However, during manic or hypomanic episodes, a person can stay awake for multiple days in a row without sleeping at all. Try suggesting some holistic remedies to encourage sleep, such as melatonin.
4. Distractibility:
   This is one of the best ways to cope with negative feelings when experiencing depression. On the other hand, during manic episodes we need to help teach concentration skills when it’s necessary, for example when working, driving, taking a test, etc.

5. Suicidal thoughts:
   Most often people dealing with mood disorder have recurrent thoughts about death. Help find a reason for that person to live. Ask if there is anyone in his or her own life that means enough to them to stay here on earth. Help them identify a life purpose.

6. Extreme increase or decrease interests in activities:
   During manic or hypomanic episodes a heightened sense of grandiosity to conquer tasks that usually seem impossible. When depression hits, then motivation tends to transfer to the other extreme. Simply getting someone out of bed each day will be difficult.

7. Catatonic states:
   When this occurs, it can be impossible to get feedback from the patient about what is wrong. You will notice a lack of reactions to all environments, as well as complete loss of movement and speech. Sometimes it is best to just make sure the person is safe and comfortable while the catatonia subsides. This may only take a few hours or it can carry on over months, even years without antipsychotics. The sooner a person is treated with medications, the sooner that moving and speaking will be observed.

8. Rapid cycling:
   This is identified when several mood swings occur within one-year span of time. Suggestions for handling this intense and ongoing rollercoaster of emotions include medication management, psychotherapeutic interventions, and family support. If you can help maintain consistency in these three areas, then you will notice increased mood stability.

9. Seasonal patterns. If such patterns exist, this will usually occur throughout a person’s lifetime in response to transitions between one season to the next. The most optimal way to deal with this problem is to help this person be prepared for the seasons that are triggering. Assist with identifying what about that particular part of year is triggering and address it to reduce stress. For example, if winter is seasonal stressor due to the cold and rain, encourage him or her in get involved in more indoor social activities as distractions to engage positive thinking.

10. Psychosis episodes:
    This only occurs in extreme cases. The good news is that once medications are stabilized, then psychosis symptoms can be managed. If psychosis occurs, then you should expect to observe an intense detachment from reality. This person will hold strong delusional beliefs and most often will experience hearing or seeing things that do not exist. Do not argue with this person about his or her beliefs and attempt to explain reality. You will loose that battle and most likely loose that person’s trust. Pick your battles. If this person tells you that pigs are flying in the sky, then do not argue. If this person tells you that voices are telling them to hurt someone or hurt themselves, then contact the psychiatrist and all other mental health professionals working with the patient. Most often you will be told to admit this person to the hospital immediately until the hallucinations subside.

For more information on receiving help with with Bipolar Disorder check out the Resources Page.

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