Consequences of Ignoring Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Understanding the Effects of Ignoring Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy levels. A person with bipolar disorder can experience severe highs (mania) and lows (depression) that often alternate in cycles and can significantly disrupt their daily life.

If you have a friend or loved one with bipolar disorder, it's important to be compassionate, patient and educate yourself on the condition. Ignoring the symptoms or needs of someone with bipolar can exacerbate their struggles.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Bipolar Symptoms

Here are some reasons why ignoring or dismissing someone's bipolar symptoms can have negative consequences:

• It can intensify feelings of isolation and loneliness
• The person may feel like no one understands or cares about their suffering
• Lack of support can worsen depressive episodes
• Manic behaviors may escalate without any communication or intervention
• It enables avoidance of necessary treatment and lifestyle changes

What Happens During Bipolar Mood Episodes

To understand why active support and communication are so vital, it helps to recognize what a person with bipolar disorder experiences during cyclic mood disturbances:

During Manic Episodes

• Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism or irritability
• Impulsive or reckless behavior like spending sprees, unsafe sex
• Increased energy, rapid speech, racing thoughts
• Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
• Distorted sense of self or delusions of grandeur

During Depressive Episodes

• Loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities
• Low motivation, energy, and extreme fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Appetite and sleep disturbances
• Excessive guilt, feelings of worthlessness
• Recurrent suicidal ideation

These kinds of extreme and unpredictable shifts seriously disrupt relationships, careers, financial stability and physical health for those with bipolar. Support from friends and family is vital.

Effects of Ignoring Someone with Bipolar Disorder

What happens when friends, family or society turn a blind eye to the reality of living with bipolar disorder?

1. Increased Risk of Self-Harm

Ignoring symptoms like profound depression or manic agitation can escalate behaviors that result in self-harming as a coping mechanism. This may include:

• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Reckless behavior and poor self-care
• Cutting, burning or self-hitting
• Suicidal tendencies

Studies show that over 50% of people with bipolar disorder experience suicidal ideation. Having strong support is protective against self-harm.

2. Strained Personal Relationships

Unpredictable behavioral swings caused by untreated bipolar often erode relationships with partners, relatives, colleagues and friends over time. Loved ones may distance themselves due to feelings of frustration, confusion or helplessness.

Outbursts, irrational decisions, and insensitive remarks can be very damaging. But progress requires communication, not isolation.

3. Poorer Treatment Outcomes

One reason why some people stop taking medication or following treatment plans for bipolar is lack of encouragement from their support network. Without cheerleaders helping them manage this lifelong condition, they can lose hope and give up.

Studies confirm that building social support improves adherence to mood stabilizers, therapy, and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms.

4. Financial and Legal Crises

Manic spending sprees combined with impulsivity and impaired judgment frequently lead to bankruptcy, overwhelming debt, and other money issues for those with untreated bipolar disorder.

Similarly, increased rates of behavior like substance abuse, violence or public disturbances may result in arrests or criminal charges during manic or mixed episodes.

Early intervention could prevent some of these legal and financial pitfalls.

5. Worse Long-Term Prognosis

Multiple studies link lack of social support to higher rates of relapse, hospitalization, disability, homelessness, comorbidities and even early mortality for bipolar patients over the long run compared to those with strong personal support.

Ignoring symptoms or failing to help someone with bipolar access resources or services has devastating consequences.

Creating a Circle of Support

Everyone deserves help and support when managing an illness as complex as bipolar disorder. Heres how you can make someone feel cared about instead of ignored:

Educate Yourself

Learn about the common symptoms, triggers and treatments for bipolar so you can better empathize and assist your loved one as needed. Understanding the challenges they face leads to improved communication.

Check In Often

Make an effort to regularly talk to and actively listen to someone living with bipolar. Dont avoid or ostracize them, even during difficult episodes. Your friendship provides an emotional lifeline.

Establish Open Dialogue

Have candid yet caring talks about any concerning behaviors youve observed related to mania, depression, or other symptoms. Non-judgmentally suggest ways you could provide practical or moral support.

Offer to Help with Treatment

Gently encourage sticking with the treatment plan. Offer to schedule appointments, set medication reminders, research resources or new therapies be their health ally.

Getting involved shows you care and that they arent alone in managing bipolar disorder.

Foster Acceptance and Patience

Understand that this chronic mental health condition causes disability for some people at times. Demonstrate unwavering friendship and reassure the person of their value.

Promote Self Care

Self care is key to regulating bipolar mood episodes. Tactfully help your friend implement adequate sleep time, healthy nutrition, stress reduction, etc. into their lifestyle for optimal wellness.

With compassion and commitment, we can support those living with bipolar to thrive.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.