- I have bipolar disorder and I'm exhausted. How long do I have to keep a constant check on everything I say and do? I take my medication correctly, I see a psychologist and a psychiatrist, and yet…
- How can I help someone who is experiencing a mixed episode?
- How is bipolar disorder detected? I mean, are there any medical tests that can identify it?
- Why is bipolar disorder so difficult to diagnose?
- Can diet have a positive influence on health? Aside from a healthy diet, are there any foods to avoid or any foods that are particularly recommended?
- Why can't I stay stable for long periods of time and why do I easily fall into depression?
- How should the family act when an affected person begins to experience euphoria without yet being aware of the onset of their euphoria?
- Is it positive for children to know that one of their parents has bipolar disorder, or is it better to hide it?
- My relapses aren't of euphoria or depression, but I do have very strong relapses of intense anxiety that turn into panic attacks where the feeling of impending death leads me to act irrationally. I'd like to know if this is normal and how I can manage it.
- In which episode is there the greatest risk of suicide?
- Why is it difficult for these people to adhere to their treatment?
- How can you support the family of a person affected by bipolar disorder?
- What is the risk that an affected person will "use" the disorder to manipulate people or conditions to achieve their own benefit?
- In altered states of consciousness, that is, when the person presents symptoms of delusional ideation, can psychotherapy help?
- Why is the medication dosage lowered for people over 65?
- Is lithium production related to inactivity?
- Can a person with bipolar disorder have relapses despite taking medication?
- How can you tell if you're having a relapse?
- As a professional, what is the best way to address relapses in people with bipolar disorder?
- Is it normal to not remember anything when you have a relapse?
- How can you help someone with bipolar disorder who is depressed without putting pressure on them?
- Is there an app where I can talk to and consult with an expert when I have a relapse?
How should the family act when an affected person begins to experience euphoria without yet being aware of the onset of their euphoria?
I think the best thing to do is talk to the person affected. Tell them, with affection, respect, and empathy, that you think they might be experiencing euphoria and that you're there to support and help them. Encourage them to get more sleep and rest for a few days, and then contact the therapy team to confirm if this is indeed happening.
To do this, it's very important to build a solid foundation of relationship with the person who has bipolar disorder. Crucially, it's essential to develop a brief protocol together with the person you're caring for, during a euthymic phase. This protocol should outline how they would like you to proceed if what you describe were to happen. It's also helpful to include a list of the person's most frequent warning signs in this protocol, so you can refer to it and show it to them if needed. Include the phone number and email address of the people they want you to notify, and any other information you think would be useful for managing such a situation. As I mentioned, it's often very helpful to have all of this prepared during euthymic phases to know how to act in case of a crisis.
