Being the supporter of a loved one with Bipolar Disorder, you are the one person closest to them, so you are the one who can tell when they don’t seem “ok,” or just not quite “like themselves” – maybe not quite into a bipolar episode, but something just seems a little off, do you know what I mean?

Because you are a supporter, you should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of bipolar episodes (both depressive and manic), and especially with triggers of oncoming episodes as they relate to your loved one, and this is a good thing; however, you also don’t want to go to the extreme and see every little thing as a sign of an impending episode.  No one said it would be easy, but one of your tasks is to stay on top of your loved one’s “moods,” and to know whether they are just a little “off,” or if they are, in fact, headed for an episode.

We have talked in the past about noticing potential episodes by being aware of the signs.  But what if your loved one isn’t showing obvious signs, but just subtle signs?  What do you do in that case?

First of all, you must be sure that you are on top of yourself, and your own physical and emotional health.  Make sure that you are ok!  Are you feeling depressed?  If so, even if it’s just “a little bit,” you may be projecting these feelings onto your loved one.  Are you feeling tired?  This may be “coloring” your interpretation of your loved one’s moods as well.  Are you staying on top of your own emotions, and being a positive person?  If you are allowing even a little negativity to cloud your feelings, it will affect how you perceive your loved one’s Bipolar Disorder.

Check your physical health.  Are you making sure that you’re getting enough sleep?  Are you eating healthy?  Taking your vitamins?  Getting enough exercise?  Remember, you must take care of yourself first, before you can take care of your loved one and their Bipolar Disorder.

Check your emotions.  It’s ok to care, but not overly so; and not when it rolls over into the worry category--because worry too quickly becomes stress, and you don't need that.  And your loved one will react to your reactions to them.  If you don't worry, neither will they.  If your stress level remains low, so will theirs.  Even if you have to kind of hole up in your room for a little while, or bury yourself in a good book, don't let your loved one see any negative emotions from you until they seem more stable.

Check your environment.  Your surroundings influence your emotional state of mind.  Is there “peace” in your home, or children running through the house?  Soft music or loud TV playing?  Sweet candle scent or smelly dog?  Believe it or not, these things can influence the way someone with Bipolar Disorder can feel (and you, too).

If you’re keeping the lines of communication open with your loved one like you should, then they should tell you if they aren’t feeling “right.”  If they’re expressing thoughts like they feel like they just aren’t quite “themselves,” etc., then first of all, they/you need to contact their psychiatrist.  To avoid a full-blown episode may be as simple as a temporary increase in their medication.

The main thing is, be proactive.  Do something.  Do not miss the signs of an episode just because you don’t want to believe it will “just go away on its own,” or because you think you may be over-reacting.  If your loved one isn’t feeling well, whether emotionally or physically, something does need to be done, whether a small step or a big one.  If you act sooner rather than later, the outcome will be a much more positive one.