How To Cope With A Bipolar Spouse

By Robert Meyer


There is no denying the fact that ailments are always unpredictable. No one has the power to tell when illness will strike. While most ailments are easy to treat and manage, there are others that require proper care. Things get even harder when your loved one is suffering and you have no clue how to go about it. Here are insights on how you can live a fulfilling life with a bipolar spouse.

The first vital thing to do is ensuring your spouse has the right support to keep living with a positive attitude. Try to get him to join a local support group if you can. If there are other family members who suffer from the same condition, have them meet regularly. The good thing about support groups is they provide a way to let participants express exactly what they feel. This always releases the stress that commonly arises from the symptoms of the condition especially when the strength of the meds starts wearing off.

Secondly, it is important to ensure the patient receives the right medical care. With bipolar, academic qualification is not the only attribute that makes a good doctor. There are a host of other significant factors that are required of a doctor to get the best possible outcome.

Besides having the right experience and academic papers, the doctor should be a person who shows empathy and compassion. In essence, it takes empathy to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the person suffering. Ask the doctor for advice on important things such as medication time and what to do when the person is out of control.

Besides the aforementioned factors, you ought to have complete understanding of the symptoms associated with the condition in order to prevent them from getting full blown in the first place. Patients always tend to display a habit of irrationality when off medication. It is common to see them verbally abuse their better halves or engage in impulse buying. Depending on how long you have lived with the person, these are things you can easily spot before they arise and act appropriately.

One proven way to maintain good mental balance is by administering the required medication promptly. While this may appear easy, the truth is that it is easier said than done. Patients always try to resist taking medicine, sometimes even violently. If you feel talking is not helping, have your other family members help you in administering the medicine.

Many patients also have specific natural factors that trigger a sense of calmness in them. These may include activities as mundane as taking an evening walk or watching a good show together. Find out what these activities are and engage in them together regularly.

Finally, you should ensure the condition does not consume you mentally as well. Take some time off whenever possible. Travel and meet your friends regularly. The fact is your mental health also matters a lot.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment