Dealing With Bipolar Disorder - Term Paper Example

Lecturer: Mood Disorders Symptoms that are associated with mood disorders include bipolar disorder as well as depression which medical illness that can be treated. Regrettably, majority of the people who suffer from mood disorders do not get the assistance they require as a result of the uncertainty that surrounds this illness along with the fear of being stigmatised. Even though is common for individuals to experience changes in moods in their lives, the people that are affected by depression demonstrated specific symptoms on a daily basis for more than fourteen days and this makes it difficult to deal with daily issues such as their occupation or school. The illness affects people of all ages and social classes but even though it can occur at any age, it most manifests at between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four. On the other hand, bipolar disorder is characterised by severe changes in the moods, energy as well as behaviour alternating the moods of a person between “poles” of mania with elevated energy to depression that is marked by low moods. These changes last for prolonged periods before they go back to normal while being frequently seasonal. Majority of the people who suffer from bipolar disorder have signs of depression that occurs more regularly in the winter while the symptoms of spring manifest themselves in spring. Approximately six million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder and the symptoms are usually hereditary in all kinds of people. The effects of this illness can have severe effects on spouses, friends and other people in the same way as other illnesses. Dealing with Bipolar disorder In order to live with an individual suffering from bipolar disorder, one needs to learn ways of dealing with the interferences that are created by its indicators, provide support as individual recovers and find methods of dealing with its impact on family relationships. This illness can be difficult on a family and based on the nature of a person’s illness as well as the management of the illness, the family can feel the effects in different ways. In the event that the moods swings are mild, the people around may be distressed but with some education concerning mental illness, they will be able to cope with what the illness demands. Dealing with a person who has bipolar disorder can be burdensome for families especially if they do not have the knowledge and skills to deal with mental illness. To deal with this illness the people that live around the affected person will need to make themselves knowledgeable on the illness, support the affected person in dealing with the illness, encourage them at all times and provide love for them even at their lowest time. In the cases where bipolar disorder is not appropriately controlled through the use of medical treatment, the family and people who are close to the affected person may experience emotional distress, disruptions in their daily activities, situations where they have to deal with reckless actions as well as stresses in finances. Marriages may also be strained forcing some adjustments in the different roles of the family and other health issues because of the stress that the people will go through. Coping with difficult emotions Family and friends will experience different emotions as they educate themselves on the various ways they can deal with a person affected by bipolar disorder. There is no particular feeling that a person is supposed to develop as the crucial issue is the manner in which the emotions will be handled. In the beginning, the family and friends might develop a guilty feeling and blame themselves for making the person ill. The children are more likely to think that they are the reason why their parents are ill but all the members of the family need to know that the condition is medical and no one can cause it. Similar to other illnesses, the family will most probably be sorrowful and develop a feeling of grief which is a natural response as family members typically care for each other. Other members of the family may feel like they have lost the person they knew but having this illness does not that the person will not become successful. It just develops a challenge that must be faced in life which can be treated and managed. Families are also worried that a frenzied episode might make the individual to act in a fashion that is uncontrolled or settle on resolutions that might not be wise. A way of dealing with this worry is through developing a plan on the ways the family will be able to manage at the difficult times. When the family member is feeling better, the whole family is supposed to talk about how the situation will be dealt with when they are affected. Coming up with a crisis plan can greatly assist in ensuring that all the members have an idea of what to expect when the individual becomes unwell again. Children also develop the fear of inheriting the illness in case their parents suffer from it while the ones who are older may worry about supporting their younger siblings while at the same time supporting themselves when their parents are no longer there. In such a situation, the family to find ways of dealing with their anxiety so that they may be able to lead lives that are fulfilling. Sometimes, the daily routines of the family are disrupted by the depressive episodes. Such disruptions force the family members to postpone chores and other activities so that they can be done at a later date. Developing a new routine in the shortest time becomes critical to decreasing the amount of stress that all the family members may develop. Suffering from bipolar disorder an also cause family roles to be affected where children may have to care for their ill parents while spouses may develop the feeling that they can no longer rely on their partners to fulfil their part of responsibilities (Basco and Rush 239). This might develop financial difficulties as well as continued tension while anxiety may also be developed concerning the onset of the symptoms as they might strain the finances as well as relationships. Symptoms like irritability may increase the number of arguments and confrontations among the family members and friends. The families may also experience a decrease in the number of friends and the extended members of the family may distance themselves. They may do so if they are not sure what to say or do in terms of supporting the family (Basco and Rush 239). Even though not everyone in the family will be willing to provide support, it will be very important to identify the ones who are as they will be valuable. Support groups also assist in reducing the feeling of being isolated that is faced by a family and talking to people helps the family deal with the illness. Recovery Bipolar disorder alternates between periods of wellness and episodes of erratic behaviour making the families feel relieved when the symptoms become stable. However, it is vital to encourage the family member to continue with their treatment while looking out for any indications of a possible relapse. When intervention is started early, it can help in avoiding a relapse and with the current modern treatment, there is hope for individuals with mood disorders to become successful. Families should believe that their member will recover as this can make a lot of difference when the stresses associated with the illness seem to be too much. The families that care for an individual with a continuing illness are more likely to develop health related problems and finding ways of caring for themselves should be a priority so that they can provide better support. Works cited Basco, Monica Ramirez, and A. John Rush. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Bipolar Disorder. 1st ed. New York: Guilford Press, 2007. Print. Read More