If you have a friend who was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she will need your shoulder to lean on. She not only has to come to terms with therapy and any prescribed medication, but also a pendulum of moods swinging from anger and depression to confusion and sadness.
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It’s possible that your friendship may never be the same again. The new and ongoing stress your friend may feel while battling bipolar disorder could change her behavior toward you. She may lash out at you randomly, or even distance herself at times.
You must keep in mind that it’s the mental illness talking, not your friend. She still loves and cares about you as much as she did before. Now, you must be supportive of her struggle.
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Here are some ways to help your friend while maintaining a strong relationship through the fight against bipolar disorder:
1. Learn about the illness.
There are a lot of misconceptions about people suffering from bipolar disorder. Don’t believe everything you hear. Read up on bipolar disorder and learn as much as you can about the illness. This will lead to a better understanding of what your friend and the 5.7 million other U.S. adults are going through.
2. Learn the early warning signs of an episode.
The warning signs of a manic or depressive episode vary per person. Pay attention to your friend’s attitude and habits, such as eating and sleeping changes or excessive shopping. When you get to know the signs, you can warn your friend and her physician about the episode before it happens.
READ: My Story: Black, Beautiful & Living With Bipolar Disease
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3. Positive influence.
It’s important that you help your friend make healthy choices. Instead of a bar, suggest cooking dinner or going to the movies. It may help, too, if you exercise with your friend or engage in healthy eating together. Make your activities a collaborative effort instead of something your friend has to suffer alone.
4. Attend treatments.
Let your friend know that she isn’t alone in her struggle by going to doctor visits with her. That way, you can also alert the physician of any habits or concerns that your friend may not recognize as a problem. You’ll also benefit directly from the visits, too, as you’ll learn more about the illness and how you can better help your friend.
