Bipolar disorder involves shifts in mood over sustained periods of time, divided into depressive and manic episodes, notes Dr. Alonso Morales Rivero, adult psychiatrist at ABC Medical Center.
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 45 million people worldwide lived with this condition.
One of the main challenges in treating this condition is medication adherence, which can vary from patient to patient. This means a patient may start taking their medication properly to manage either a manic or depressive episode, depending on their situation. However, it’s common for patients to stop taking their medication once they feel stable, which can create a serious problem, since discontinuing treatment can trigger new episodes.
If you’re close to someone living with bipolar disorder, there are several things you can do to help them stay stable, such as:
- Helping them set up a schedule to track their daily medication doses, so they don’t forget to take one or more of them.
- Helping them avoid substance use, even substances that are legal, like alcohol, or illegal substances, can increase the risk of triggering new manic or depressive episodes, even when treatment is otherwise appropriate.
- Helping them attend their appointments on time, bipolar disorder requires ongoing monitoring, even during stable periods.
On a more personal level, there are other things you can do to support treatment adherence and help them through what they’re experiencing:
- Help them feel comfortable, meaning help them avoid feeling out of place around others. It’s important to remember that bipolar disorder is a long-term condition, just like any other.
- Try to understand the condition, which will help you be more empathetic and recognize that mood swings and emotional shifts aren’t something the person can control or is doing on purpose. That said, while the condition can explain certain behaviors, it doesn’t excuse them, and it’s important to see a psychiatrist if you notice any sudden or unusual behavioral changes.
- In urgent situations, it’s important to reach out to the psychiatrist right away to adjust treatment and help prevent situations that could even become life-threatening.
- When living alongside someone with bipolar disorder, following these recommendations can be a huge help, allowing the patient to stay on track with their treatment as effectively as possible, concludes Dr. Morales.
At ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
