'How does bipolar affect a family?'

Jennifer Baxt from Ft. Lauderdale -

When most people talk about depression, they will often talk about how it can affect the person who is suffering the depression. They will also mention how it can have a negative impact on their social life, their work life and their family life. What most will often forget to mention or think about is the affect that depression can have on the friends and family of the person with it, especially those who have bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression. Bipolar disorder is one of the more serious kinds of depression out there and it is one that not only affects the person who has it in an immense way, it can have a huge negative impact on both their friends and their family.

Most are well aware of how the disorder can affect those who have it. The change from an episode of deep depression to one of mania, where the person will experience and exhibit high irritability, can make most things in life difficult. People with bipolar disorder will often have mood swings, become withdrawn, participate in fewer activities, communicate less, have less of a social life, and appear hyper at some times while drained or lethargic the next. Friends start to disappear and others don’t feel that they want to be around that person anymore because they feel as though the person with the disorder is no fun to be around. The family, however, especially the immediate family, can not dismiss or leave the family member alone as easily as a friend can leave. Both the spouse and the children are further attached to the depressed person because they have a deeper care for that person than a friend would. As the family member with the bipolar disorder continues on in their life without getting the help or treatment that they need, the family members around them begin to feel drained and can become depressed themselves. No matter what they do, they can’t seem to make this person feel better and it can leave a person feeling helpless, guilty and mentally drained.

A family that has a member who may have bipolar disorder should try their best to get that person the help that they need. It is not something that other family members can help with. First, one has to find out, somehow, if the person really is suffering from bipolar disorder. This can be done by consulting an online counselor who would be more than happy to answer any questions and give any suggestions or advice. If it is believed that this person really is suffering from bipolar disorder, than the best thing for the family to do is to get that person into counseling. Many individuals will not go in to see a counselor because they are embarrassed or they don’t want to appear weak to others; however, many of these individuals are more open to the idea of online therapy. The online therapist will work with the person to find out if they are possibly suffering from bipolar disorder. If it is found that this person is suffering from bipolar disorder, then they can work with this person through online counseling to find an appropriate treatment. In getting treatment for this person, it is also helping the family in that it can keep the family together, improve the overall atmosphere in the household and keep the happiness and joy in life around.

• www.completecounselingsolutions.com

Comment #1 Katelyn (63.176.159.92) -

I believe when you have depression you will always have it, and it is something that is hard to deal with everyday but you gotta just make yourself get out and do fun things to keep your mind off of sitting at home alone, and also make sure to take your medication.

Comment #2 Kyra (63.176.159.39) -

My sister has bipolar and it has affected our family a great amount. She has had it for years but now that she is 17 it is getting a little better. She definately still has her spells though. One of my biggest concernes is that she is 4 months pregnant, is that something that can affect the baby? Is it hereditary? I know that she will do her best and she is still very young, but I can't help but be concerned.

Comment #3 Seth (63.176.159.233) -

Is she on any medications for this? If so, are they taking her off the medications for the baby's sake?

Comment #4 Randy (63.176.159.130) -

good question seth. im wondering the same thing.

Comment #5 BIlly (63.176.159.156) -

Are there any advantages at all of bipolar? I doubt it.. I know its very horrible, but was wandering if there were..

Comment #6 Tammy (63.176.159.230) -

I do not think there are ANY advantages at all of having bipolar, but I do know that when someone who is close to you or is a loved one has it, is does effect everyone around that person greatly. It is something that can be taking care of and be able to be controlled but with medication and treatment.

Comment #7 Billy (63.176.159.180) -

I have a loved one who has a bad case of bipolar disorder. He was prescribed to some medication that really seems to help. For some reason he will get in these moods where he will refuse to take the pills. Does anyone know why he won't take this medication that makes it better?

Comment #8 Lindsey from Moreno Valley, CA -

2007 was the darkest part of my life. My depression was so severe that I isolated myself from my family, friends and society. I was in and out of inpatient and outpatient for the entire year. I was not not taking my medication improperly taking more than I suppose to. I took 5 to 10 valium a day just to keep myself asleep. I took an entire sample pack of Lamictal and about a half hour I collapse to the floor and felt like I had a mini stroke. I would ask my Psych for any new meds for bipolar such as RGEON which made my depression even worse. When I had my highs, I had my Highs such as the time I challenge another driver at a stop light and pointed him to stop at a strip mall parking lot which he did and I jumped out of the car pulled out a cigarette, lit it, walk around my vehicle and flashed a military id card and told him I was a Federal Agent and he pulled out his badge and said he was DEA Agent so he actually believed I was an agent. I did drink also to the point of no return until March 2008. I had an asthma attack in Jan 2008 and quit cold turkey in Feb 2008. I finally balance out my Meds in Mar 2008, quit drinking and attended meetings ever since. I had to find a bigger role for me and be around more people so I volunteered with the VA Medical Center in August 2008 escorting patients around the VA and then I was recommended as a shuttle driver for patients and employees. I spend most of my time at the VA and I have plenty of friends in a short period of time after taking my meds properly. Actually my wife just walked up from the room and ordered me to take my meds like a drill seargent, she is actually a Master Seargent in the AF but I am still the commander in this house. The VA has offered me a job as a driver when they open up the vacancy. What I have learned in the past year is the support from your family and friends is very important, get involve with the community, see your Psych regularly and most important of all is take your meds properly. These few steps will change your life one day at a time.

Lindsey

Comment #9 Karen (63.176.159.42) -

I just want to say congratulations Lindsey. It's good to hear that you never gave up and you kept going. I am a firm believer that once you hit rock bottom the only way out is up.

Comment #10 cwemoy (63.176.159.213) -

Good one Karen...of course when you hit rock bottom, your only reference is up. Whether or not depression is herditary is a discussion for another but believe you me, it is not a good thing so try by all means to avoid it. I once slumped into one and were it not for my family, I would not be back on track.

The family will be majorly affected in monetary terms; having to get you in and out of hospital

Comment #11 Randy (63.176.159.158) -

Well, I´ll tell you. Mood swings come from way down in the uncounscious. From way back in early childhood when we didn´t get our way or fought with our siblings for a toy. It´s all a question of perceiving that we have been unjustly treated and that life is mean and that people (my parents!) don´t love me. In fact they HATE me! Episodes going back to the age of three have been acted out in grown men and women over fights with brothers and sisters in the psychoanalist´s couch! Still there crouching and ready to leap out. People have to practice mental higene, the clue is "letting go", as long as we hold on tight, it makes us sick. Cheers!

Comment #12 cwemoy (63.176.159.187) -

Very true Randy. A lot of problems siblings go through can be traced back to when they were young and did not grow up in an environmnet of holding each other up. It is good to let go of issues that normally lead to worse mental conditions rather than hold on to perceptions that most of the time do not even exist. It is necessary for a fanmily to relate to each other as a unit.

Comment #13 crystal from asia -

regarding depression, according to some doctors, it is a chemical imbalance in our body that starts from the brain. I can't just remember but our brain produces serotonin which has an effect on our moods. There is also endorphin which is produced everytime we laugh that validates the sayings that laughter is the best medicine because serotonin has some benefits in healing some diseases and negative feelings that we are experiencing.

Sometimes depression is just our body's way to signal that we are already hungry. We need food to nourish our mind and body. That's why a person who has not been eating and sleeping for about 3 days or more go insane.

Also depression is a prolonged sadness which the individual dwells exclusively over something that prolongs the sadness that leads to depression.

Chocolates can temporarily boost the spirit of a depressed person because it is a mood elevating food.

Comment #14 Matthew (75.164.108.37) -

My wife has severe depression and is bipolar. Its gotten to the point that I have had to move out because she calls the police for no reason and thinks that the world is against her. I have tried everything to help her have her go to the doctor, take her meds, seek counsiling and she tries it for a week and then gives up and returns to not wanting to live and doing nothing with her self. i love this women with all my heart but this disorder has taken such a toll on me that my health has gotten worse from stress, i lost my job beacause of being in the hospital all the time with her, Lost my car and just about everything that I have worked for in my life so far. I miss her so much but Im happy that I dont have to worry every day whats going to happen. What should I do in this situation everyone tells me to leave her for good but my love is to great. I would like some input on if Im wrong for doing what Im doing or what I can do if anything to help our marriage. Thank you, Matt

Comment #15 moy (63.176.159.229) -

Of course there is no advantage in being under depression. It is a sad fact that what normally goes wrong very early is misdiagnosis. It is important to first identify the sort of mental condtion being suffered from because then, proper steps can be taken in bringing the situation under control. The role of family in ensuring the patient in question is in his or her way to recovery cannot be overemphasized. All in all, forbearing and understanding will play a major role.

Comment #16 cespeta (63.176.159.58) -

Depression is a psychological illness that is hard to manage. Most people suffers from depression from time to time most especially if they are having problems. Bipolar people are even harder to manage, they need special attention from those who care for them. I personally know some people who have such illness and only people with great understanding and patience would care for them.

Comment #17 Kate (207.75.194.184) -

Bipolar does affect the family but the amount it affects depending on the one with bipolar. My mom is bipolar but a type that is not on going. She goes through episodes when she gets real stress out. Like once I remember , when her dad died she went through this big episode that affected everyone around her. Before that affect no one knew she was bipolar. She she illness has affected our family all the time but not that bad. It is like little depression here and maybe a little manic there. LIke I said I believe it has to do with the type of bipolar the person has.

Comment #18 lewis (69.2.181.248) -

my daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar a couple years ago, it has literally broken our family apart. Nothing we do is right, she resists us trying to help her and always tries to befriend people who drag her down and use her. She has lost everything she owned( trusting friends) and now lives with her sister, but they fight every day. My husband won't let her come home and I feel terrible about it. Our daughter is 27years old if anyone has any advise I'd love to hear from you.

Comment #19 Eve (63.176.159.9) -

Bipolar disorder can affect one's family in many a drastic way, and probably even in such ways that would even make members of one's family become much more psychologically unstable than they may thought to have been, prior.

Comment #20 Eve (63.176.159.152) -

How do we fix these issues? Herein lies the cumbersome task.

Comment #21 Drake (63.176.159.232) -

I am very much thankful that we do not have a bipolar member of the family, because by just reading all of your posts, it seems like all of you are having a hard time dealing with the disease.

Comment #22 Becca (63.176.159.58) -

That is very true Drake, it is easy to say that you are indeed lucky to have no family with bi polar. Though some are having some problems with this, some are doing fine even though they have a family member that have bipolar. I can say because we do have a family member with the disease but still manages to be happy. It just takes some time and good understanding.

Comment #23 controversy (62.229.68.217) -

Bipolar issues seem to be such that should be left with the bears in Alaska. i think that they are polar enough for such issues.

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