But there are also a lot of myths and misconceptions about bipolar disorder.
Judgment aboutmental healthcan be pervasive and harmful, and friends play an important role in providing support and kindness.
A friend helps a friend be their best self.
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Dont equate your friend with their bipolar disorder.
Your friend who has bipolar disorder isnottheir bipolar disorder.
They are so much more than their diagnosis.
They dont need that from friends, too.
Learn more about your friends specific diagnosis.
People with bipolar II only experience those hypomanic and depressive episodes.
Knowing the scope of your friends condition can help you offer the best support.
I think the more people know, the better.
National Library of Medicine.
In addition, heres some SELF reporting that may help:
3.
Is there anything I can do to help you get the help you need?
Thats a capstone of my relationships in general.
Its a much better strategy than ignoring a friends symptoms.
But rememberyou are not their doctor or therapist.
Prioritize encouragement over advice.
Also, your advice might not actually be helpful or accurate, no matter how much research you do.
We need encouragement, Danyelle explains.
We need someone who is going to hold hope when we cant hold it for our ourselves.
Stay away from anything that telegraphs pity.
No one wants to hear, I feel so, so sorry for you, says Dr. Singh.
If they are, its all about framing your advice as an option rather than an answer.
Its not, This is what you should do, says Danyelle.
Its, Youre not alone.
This has worked for some people.
Maybe it could work for you.
Stay away from platitudes.
After all, if someone could calm down or cheer up, they would, right?
Its hard to know how to react … but platitudes end up antagonizing people more than they actually help.
Remind your friend that their mood episodes arent permanent.
Even if they feel neverending in the moment, mood episodes come and go.
You dont want to veer into everything will be fine!
platitude territory, though.
Instead, say something more honest and specific, like, I know this sucks right now.
Every single day that passes gets you closer to that point.
Is there anything I can do to help in the meantime?
When your friend isnt experiencing a mood episode, ask whats most helpful to them when they are.
To make your friend really feel heard, listen to them actively instead of passively.
Beyond that, active listening also involves avoiding the urge to immediately jump in and venture to help.
Or they may be similar, but allowing the space for the friend to truly feel heard is important.
You may not feel like listening is doing much, but it can.
One of the most important things is being able to sit with someone in that darkness, says Danyelle.
I dont expect someone to fix it and I dont want them to.
Accept that your friends symptoms might affect your relationship.
Treatmentmay help manage a persons symptoms, but it cant offer a cure for a persons mood changes.
Its a chronic condition.
Your friendship may be one of the most stable aspects of their lives, says Dr. Singh.
Part of that friendship involves understanding how your friends symptoms may affect your bond.
This is another time when its important to remind yourself that your friends bipolar disorder doesnt define them.
They can cancel on you last-minute without it being a sign that theyre isolating themselves due to depression.
They can become easily irritated with you for reasons besides entering a manic episode.
Suggest they get involved with organizations that can connect them to other people with bipolar disorder.
That can include talk of suicide or death-related thoughts.
If you feel like your friend is in crisis, use reassuring language such as Im here.
I want to help.
How can I help you?
Ultimately, though, you should recognize that you cant handle this kind of situation alone.
The lifeline is free and available 24/7.
It may also be necessary to contact your friends family, Bolton says.
Dont let fear that your friend will be upset stop you from seeking help.
Yes, your friend might be angry, but what matters most in this situation is their safety.
