Supporting someone with bipolar disorder means offering stability, consistency, and practical help through mood shifts. In manic phases, maintain a calm environment to avoid overstimulation, and suggest soothing activities like walking together to foster connection and promote rest. In depressive phases, focus on gentle support. Remind your loved one to prioritizeself-care, like drinking water and maintaining regular sleep routines to support mood regulation.
If you or your loved one are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Helping Someone with Bipolar Disorder
Helping someone with bipolar disorder involves being consistent withpractical support, patience, and understanding. Your support might look a little different depending on your loved one’s emotional state.
During Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are periods of high energy that can make the affected person do unusual or even hurtful things. While these episodes can be tiring and even scary for loved ones, the person experiencing them may actually enjoy the mania and resist taking their medications.
To help a loved one during a manic episode, you can:
Spend quality time together.People experiencing manic episodes often feel isolated and misunderstood. Try to spend quality time with them doing relaxing activities that foster connection and reduce feelings of loneliness. This might include taking slow walks through nature, or doingyogain the park—grounding activities that help work off their energy while connecting with you.
Have honest conversations.Talk to your loved one about how they are feeling. Use a gentle, steady tone and avoid intense conversations or debates that can escalate their energy. Rather than discussing complex topics that might overwhelm them, try to keep conversations light and speak with a soft tone and straightforward sentences. Be honest with them. Validate their feelings but do not reinforce unrealistic or impulsive ideas.
Prepare easy-to-eat meals.People experiencing mania may have a hard time sitting down to complete a meal. Try preparing simple foods and drinks that are ready on demand and don’t take too long to eat. This might include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fresh vegetables, and healthy, sugar- and caffeine-free drinks likeherbal teaor cucumber water.
Set limits on risky behavior.Gently redirect your loved one away from risky or impulsive behaviors, like overspending,substance abuse, or grandiose decisions like quitting their job or making other sudden major life changes. If necessary, limit access to credit cards, social media, cars, or other situations that may amplify risk.
Involve professionals if necessary.Learn to recognize signs of danger, like delusional thinking, reckless behaviors, and threats ofself-harm. Keep important phone numbers on you at all times. If your loved one’s behaviors become dangerous, contact a mental health professional orcrisis hotlineto provide the support and intervention your loved one needs.Encourage medication adherence.People experiencing manic episodes may have trouble sticking to their treatment plan due to factors like side effects, feeling good, or enjoying the manic episode. Remind your loved one that medication is critical for helping them feel stable and balanced, even when they feel well. If they experience uncomfortable side effects, suggest reaching out to their healthcare provider, as a dose adjustment may help them feel better.
During Depressive Episodes
Some evidence suggests that depressive episodes may be more common than manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. These episodes can be much more distressing than mania, and due to the risk of suicide, they can be much more dangerous.To help a loved one during a depressive episode, you can:
Encourage small steps in self-care.Kindly remind your loved one to take small, manageable steps toward self-care, such as eating, drinking water, and brushing their teeth. Avoid pushing them or insisting they complete these tasks, as this can drive them away.
Suggest low-energy activities.See if you can engage them in low-energy, comforting activities that foster connection. This could include watching a light-hearted movie together or taking a short walk through a nature park. Be patient with their pace; avoid pressuring them to move too quickly toward recovery. Celebrate small victories, like getting out of bed or completing anexercise routine.
Monitor for signs of crisis.Be alert for signs ofsuicidal behaviorsand ideations. This includes expressions of hopelessness, saying they feel like a burden, or talking about self-harm. If you notice these signs, take immediate action and call a mental health provider or crisis hotline services for support.
Encourage professional care.During these low-energy periods, it can be especially hard for your loved one to adhere to their treatment plan. Gently remind them to take their prescribed medication and attend therapy sessions. If they seem resistant, don’t push them. Instead, encourage them to discuss their feelings with their therapist or healthcare provider.
Who Is the Best Support for Bipolar Disorder?
Helping Them Feel Less Alone
People with bipolar disorder often experience feelings of isolation and may have difficulty feeling loved or valued. Use reaffirming words to show your loved one you care.
For example:
In the event that your loved one expresses thoughts of self-harm:
For support with suicidal thoughts, contact theSuicide & Crisis Lifelineat988. In life-threatening situations, call911immediately.
Taking Care of Yourself
Caring for your loved one, including coping with their moods, can be stressful and can challenge any caregiver. Before you can take care of anyone else, you must first take care of yourself. This may involve:
Don’t take things personally.Bipolar disorder can cause your loved one to behave in ways that are unexpected or even hurtful. Remember that it is a biological illness and your loved one cannot control their symptoms. Express your feelings clearly in a way that is gentle but firm. If you need to take a break, explain that you feel overwhelmed and that some time apart to recharge would be good for both of you.
Find support.In addition to friends and family, support from healthcare providers, therapists, and support groups can help you develop positive coping strategies for both you and your loved one. This is especially important during manic or depressive episodes, when stress levels may be higher.
Seek family therapy.Considerfamily-focused therapy(FFT), which can lead to faster recovery and fewer episodes for the person with bipolar disorder. FFT improves family communication, reduces conflict, and decreases negative behaviors like criticism and irritability more effectively than brief psychoeducation.
Practice self-care.Self-care strategies can improve your health and well-being, and help reduce stress and fatigue. Key strategies include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. These practices support both physical and mental wellness.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms to Watch For
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that requires consistent care to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of intense mood episodes.
These episodes typically fall into three categories: manic, hypomanic, and depressive. While manic and hypomanic episodes share similar symptoms, hypomania is less severe and may not disrupt daily functioning to the same extent.
The symptoms outlined in the following chart are important warning signs of bipolar disorder, depending on the type of mood state:
Mood Episode SymptomsManic and HypomanicFeeling very high, elated, jumpy, or wiredDecreased need for sleepLoss of appetiteTalking very fast or about a lot of different thingsRacing thoughtsTrying to do many things at onceRisky, impulsive behaviors that show poor judgmentFeeling grandiose or unusually talented, important, or powerfulDepressiveFeeling slowed down or unable to do simple thingsTrouble falling asleep or sleeping too muchEating too little or too muchTalking very slowly, having nothing to say, or forgetfulnessTrouble concentrating or making decisionsLoss of interest in activities or inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)Feeling hopeless or worthless
Mood Episode Symptoms
Manic and HypomanicFeeling very high, elated, jumpy, or wiredDecreased need for sleepLoss of appetiteTalking very fast or about a lot of different thingsRacing thoughtsTrying to do many things at onceRisky, impulsive behaviors that show poor judgmentFeeling grandiose or unusually talented, important, or powerful
Feeling very high, elated, jumpy, or wired
Decreased need for sleep
Loss of appetite
Talking very fast or about a lot of different things
Racing thoughts
Trying to do many things at once
Risky, impulsive behaviors that show poor judgment
Feeling grandiose or unusually talented, important, or powerful
DepressiveFeeling slowed down or unable to do simple thingsTrouble falling asleep or sleeping too muchEating too little or too muchTalking very slowly, having nothing to say, or forgetfulnessTrouble concentrating or making decisionsLoss of interest in activities or inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)Feeling hopeless or worthless
Feeling slowed down or unable to do simple things
Trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
Eating too little or too much
Talking very slowly, having nothing to say, or forgetfulness
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Loss of interest in activities or inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)
Feeling hopeless or worthless
For someone taking medication for bipolar disorder, an increase in these symptoms might indicate the need for a dose adjustment. Identifying these signs early and notifying a loved one and their healthcare provider can help prevent the escalation of symptoms into a full-blown episode.
Summary
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder can look different depending on your loved one’s emotional state. During manic phases, support might involve creating a calm environment to avoid overstimulation, preparing easy-to-eat meals, and encouraging brief naps. During depressive phases, it might involve encouraging basic self-care like drinking water and offering low-energy activities like watching a movie together.
If you or a loved one needs help with bipolar disorder or the associatedsigns and symptoms, contact theSAMHSA National Hotlinefor treatment and support group referrals at1-800-662-HELP (4357).
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MyHealth Alberta.Bipolar disorder: Helping someone during a manic episode.Jayasree A, Shanmuganathan P, Ramamurthy P, Alwar MC.Types of medication non-adherence & approaches to enhance medication adherence in mental health disorders: a narrative review.Indian J Psychol Med. 2024 Mar;46(6). doi:10.1177/02537176241233745National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living with bipolar disorder.Mass General Brigham McLean.Everything you need to know about bipolar disorder.MIKLOWITZ DJ, CHUNG B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi: 10.1111/famp.12237
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MyHealth Alberta.Bipolar disorder: Helping someone during a manic episode.Jayasree A, Shanmuganathan P, Ramamurthy P, Alwar MC.Types of medication non-adherence & approaches to enhance medication adherence in mental health disorders: a narrative review.Indian J Psychol Med. 2024 Mar;46(6). doi:10.1177/02537176241233745National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living with bipolar disorder.Mass General Brigham McLean.Everything you need to know about bipolar disorder.MIKLOWITZ DJ, CHUNG B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi: 10.1111/famp.12237
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MyHealth Alberta.Bipolar disorder: Helping someone during a manic episode.Jayasree A, Shanmuganathan P, Ramamurthy P, Alwar MC.Types of medication non-adherence & approaches to enhance medication adherence in mental health disorders: a narrative review.Indian J Psychol Med. 2024 Mar;46(6). doi:10.1177/02537176241233745National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living with bipolar disorder.Mass General Brigham McLean.Everything you need to know about bipolar disorder.MIKLOWITZ DJ, CHUNG B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi: 10.1111/famp.12237
MyHealth Alberta.Bipolar disorder: Helping someone during a manic episode.
Jayasree A, Shanmuganathan P, Ramamurthy P, Alwar MC.Types of medication non-adherence & approaches to enhance medication adherence in mental health disorders: a narrative review.Indian J Psychol Med. 2024 Mar;46(6). doi:10.1177/02537176241233745
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Living with bipolar disorder.
Mass General Brigham McLean.Everything you need to know about bipolar disorder.
MIKLOWITZ DJ, CHUNG B.Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder: reflections on 30 years of research.Fam Process. 2016;55(3):483-499. doi: 10.1111/famp.12237
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