Has your loved one been diagnosed with BIPOLAR DISORDER? Here’s how families can help.
Authored by Guddu Yadav, Nursing Professional, VIMHANS
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes major changes in a person's mood, energy, sleep and behavior. A person may have periods of very high or irritable mood, known as mania or hypomania, and periods of low mood, known as depression. These changes can affect work, relationships and daily life.
Treatment for bipolar disorder usually includes medicines, psychological support and regular follow-up with mental health professionals. However, treatment does not happen only in a hospital or clinic. Family members can also play an important role in recovery.
What Family Involvement in Psychiatric Treatment Means
For someone with bipolar disorder, this may include learning about the illness, attending family education sessions, helping with treatment routines and supporting the person at home.
Family members may also notice changes that the person does not recognise themselves. For example, they may notice that the person is sleeping less, talking more, becoming unusually active or withdrawing from others.
The amount of family involvement should be different for each person. It should depend on the person's wishes, needs and family situation.
Why Is Family Involvement Important in Mental Health Treatment?
Emotional Support
Living with bipolar disorder can be difficult. During depression, a person may feel sad, hopeless, tired or lose interest in things they normally enjoy. During mania, they may become very active, irritable, overconfident or impulsive.
A caring family can provide comfort and support during these difficult periods. Listening without blaming or judging can help the person feel less alone.
Better Understanding of the Illness
Family members may sometimes misunderstand the person's behaviour. Learning about bipolar disorder can help them understand that many changes in behaviour can be symptoms of the illness.
For example, spending too much money, sleeping very little or talking continuously during a manic episode may be signs of illness rather than simply bad behaviour.
Understanding the illness can reduce arguments, blame and stress at home.
Shared Decision-Making
When the person agrees to family involvement, relatives can share useful information with the mental health team. They may be able to explain changes in mood, sleep, behaviour or daily activities. The person with bipolar disorder should still have an important role in decisions about their own treatment.
How Family Involvement Improves Psychiatric Recovery ?
Better Medication Adherence
Medicines are an important part of managing bipolar disorder and preventing future mood episodes. However, some people may forget their medicines, stop taking them when they feel better or have concerns about side effects. Family members can gently remind and encourage the person to take medicines as prescribed. They should not change or stop medicines themselves.
Early Recognition of Warning Signs
Family members often know the person's usual behaviour and may notice changes early.
Signs of a possible manic episode may include:
- Sleeping much less
- Talking more than usual
- Having lots of energy
- Racing thoughts
- Becoming easily irritated
- Spending too much money
- Taking unusual risks
Signs of depression may include:
- Feeling very sad
- Losing interest in normal activities
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling tired
- Staying away from family and friends
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
Recognizing these signs early can help the family contact the mental health team before the symptoms become severe.
Better Communication With the Care Team
Family members can give useful information about changes they have noticed at home. With the person's permission, this information can help doctors and other professionals understand the person's condition better. Good communication between the family and healthcare team can also help everyone understand the treatment plan.
Reduced Relapse and Hospital Admissions
Bipolar disorder can have repeated mood episodes. Family support can help the person follow treatment, maintain regular sleep and daily routines, and recognise early warning signs. Family-based interventions can also improve communication and reduce stress at home. These factors may help reduce the risk of future episodes and hospital admissions.
What Does Family Involvement Look Like in Practice?
Family Psychoeducation
Family psychoeducation means teaching family members about bipolar disorder. They can learn about symptoms, medicines, possible triggers, warning signs and ways to support the person. It also gives family members a chance to ask questions and understand what they can do during difficult periods.
Family Therapy
Family therapy can help family members communicate better and solve problems together. It can be useful when there are frequent arguments, misunderstandings or stress related to the illness.
Participation in Treatment Planning
If the person agrees, family members can take part in treatment discussions. They can help with practical issues such as appointments, medicines, daily routines and plans for dealing with early warning signs.
Supporting Recovery at Home
Families can support recovery by encouraging regular sleep, healthy meals, physical activity and daily routines. They can encourage the person to attend appointments and continue activities that support their wellbeing.
Challenges Families Face and How Mental Health Professionals Can Help
Caregiver Stress
Mental health professionals can provide education, counselling and guidance to help caregivers manage these difficulties.
Stigma
There are still many misunderstandings about mental illness. Some families may feel embarrassed or worried about what other people will think. Education can help families understand that bipolar disorder is a health condition and not a sign of weakness or personal failure.
Managing Expectations
Families should avoid expecting immediate or permanent improvement. Mental health professionals can help families understand the recovery process and set realistic goals.
Access to Caregiver Support
Family members also need support. Counselling, family education and support services can help caregivers manage stress and continue supporting their loved one in a healthy way.
VIMHANS' Approach to Family-Centred Psychiatric Care
VIMHANS uses a team-based approach to mental healthcare. Different professionals work together to address the person's mental, emotional, physical needs.
Multidisciplinary Care
Treatment for bipolar disorder may involve psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and occupational therapists
Working as a team helps address different areas of the person's recovery. Family members can also provide useful information about the person's behaviour and progress at home.
Family Education and Counselling
Family education helps relatives understand bipolar disorder and learn how to support the person. Counselling can also help families deal with stress, communication problems and relationship difficulties.
Building on Dr. Vidya Sagar's Philosophy of Involving Families in Recovery
Dr. Vidya Sagar was a pioneer in Indian psychiatry who believed that families could play an important role in caring for people with mental illness. He encouraged families to participate in the care of their relatives. This idea is still important today. When families receive proper information and guidance, they can become valuable partners in the recovery of a person with bipolar disorder.
FAQs
Can family involvement improve recovery from bipolar disorder?
Yes. Family involvement can help a person follow treatment, maintain healthy routines and recognise early signs of mood changes. It can also improve communication and support at home.
Does every person with bipolar disorder need family involvement?
No. Not everyone needs the same level of family involvement. Some people may want their family to be closely involved, while others may prefer more independence. The person's wishes and needs should be respected.
What if family relationships are difficult?
If family relationships are difficult, the person does not have to involve every family member. Mental health professionals can help decide what type of family involvement is safe and helpful.
How can caregivers support someone with bipolar disorder?
Caregivers can learn about bipolar disorder, encourage treatment, support regular sleep and routines, notice changes in mood and encourage professional help when needed. They should avoid blaming, arguing or changing medicines without medical advice.
Family involvement can be an important part of recovery for a person living with bipolar disorder. Families can provide emotional support, encourage treatment, notice early warning signs and help maintain healthy routines.
Key Takeaways:
- Family support can make recovery easier for people with bipolar disorder.
- Families can learn to recognise early signs of mania and depression.
- They can encourage medication adherence and regular follow-up.
- Healthy sleep and daily routines can support mood stability.
- Family education and counselling can improve communication.
- Caregivers also need support to manage their own stress.
- The person's choices, privacy and independence should always be respected.
When to Seek Professional Help
Urgent professional help is especially important if the person has severe mania, psychotic symptoms, severe depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviour that may put themselves or others at risk. Early treatment can help prevent the situation from becoming more serious.
How Can You Contact VIMHANS?
Families can contact VIMHANS to enquire about an appointment or mental health services:
Phone: 011-4099-0000
Email: help@vimhans.com
Address: No. 1, Institutional Area, College, behind Pgdav College Ground, Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar,
New Delhi, Delhi 110065
Appointments: Appointments can be requested through the VIMHANS website https://www.vimhans.com
For emergencies, VIMHANS lists its emergency contact numbers and advises caregivers to seek an in- person consultation. The emergency mobile numbers listed by VIMHANS are available 24×7.