Bipolar disorder touches the lives of friends and family. There may be times when you feel confused, incapable of helping, or even scared. When it comes to offering support there are no set rules, but some guidelines may be helpful in working out what is best for you, your family, and the welfare of your loved one with bipolar disorder:

Learn the Warning Signs: Just a rudimentary knowledge of bipolar disorder may help you spot the warning signs of impending depression or mania. This may help you to persuade a loved one to see their doctor. In the case of depression, for example, warning signs could include the person cutting themselves off from others. They may become indifferent to previous interests and find excuses not to bother with them. They may seem to complain more about physical symptoms like aches and pains and they may spend longer in bed. By contrast, some of the warning signs of mania might include speaking faster than usual, having lots of plans and ideas, starting several different things but not following them up. The person may feel full of energy and enthusiasm but have great difficulty in concentrating.

Get to Know Depression: A person with depression generally sends out very clear messages about how they feel. They look drained of energy. Movements are often slow and sluggish. Speech is slow and effortful and sometimes non-existent. The person looks deeply sad and troubled. They appear indifferent to their surroundings and indifferent to themselves. Their self-care may suffer and significant changes may occur with appetite and body weight.

Then Get Involved: You can support someone with depression by taking the edge of essential tasks, for example shopping or driving. It's better to encourage some form of routine activity even if the person complains of exhaustion or they just want to stay in bed. There is actually no harm in reminding the person that how they are feeling and what they are saying relates to their depression, but that you are going to help them work through it and stand by them until it passes. Keep the doctor informed, monitor food and fluid intake and make sure medication is given at the prescribed times.

Help with Mania: Your tolerance threshold may be stretched thin when it comes to states of mania but it's often the case that whilst a lot of heat may be generated (in terms of physical activity) this may not translate into problem behavior. You may be involved in a situation where the person appears vibrant, healthy and insists they are in control. If they have experience of states of elation it is quite possible that at some level they realize what is happening. This can make it a little easier for you to persuade the person away from activities that could be dangerous, or put off plans for to start a business, or some other major projects.

Your first experience of seeing someone with the more common state of hypomania may not be what you expect. They may actually appear quite in control if a bit over-talkative and anxious to get on. They may appear be going about tasks in a reasonably competent fashion although typically this will be just one of several tasks. Such is the need to press on and do things that sleep is overlooked and so, sometimes, are food and drink. These are all things you can help monitor.