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Question 1: What is Bipolar and what does the recovery journey look like?

Bipolar disorder (BD) is the name given to a group of neurological disorders that can cause mild to extreme fluctuations in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, but long-term, ongoing treatment can help control symptoms and enable the person to live a healthy life. People living with this condition experience mood swings that range between low moods (depression) to high moods (mania or hypomania). Everyone to some degree experiences changes in their mood, but the mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme. Extreme mood changes are called episodes, and these can often last for several weeks or months. In between episodes people living with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives. The experience of bipolar disorder is different for each person. Some people can have more serious mood episodes than others. An estimate of around 1-2.5% of Australians has bipolar disorder. The onset of BD tends to occur around age 18–20, with about 50% of patients having their first episode before this age.

Question 6: Where can carers go to find more information to support a loved one?

Be sure to check out our comprehensive booklet developed for carers of people who have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder: http://www.bipolaraustralia.org.au/resources/coming-home-with-bipolar/

Coming Home with Bipolar’ focuses on the information and skills that Carers need to help people with bipolar starting their recovery journey. Giving Carers the information they need about Bipolar reduces the risk of hospitalisation for people with the condition

Ø Tips for open communication

Open communication is a very useful thing you can do as person living with bipolar and to help a loved one to recover from bipolar. Below are some key steps you can take:

• Keep learning - Finding out as much as you can about bipolar means you can understand what your loved one is experiencing and what you can do to be supportive of their recovery.
• Be patient - Some days will be better than others, and it will take time for your loved one to make progress in their recovery journey.
• Be understanding - Listen when your loved one talks with you or shares their feelings. Try not to react when if your loved one says things that hurt you; people with bipolar often try to push their loved ones away when they are unwell.
• Encourage realistic goals - After an episode, it is important to get back into a normal routine and reconnect with things like education, work, and friendships.
• Encourage self-management - Work together with your loved one to identify their episode triggers, and times when they should see their doctor or counsellor.
• Access peer support - Get involved with a support group that lets you meet other carers. You and your loved one may also wish to join a bipolar support group together (Bipolar Australia, 2018).
  
  

Be sure to look after yourself. Don't underestimate the impact of your loved one's episodes on you. It is important to have positive friendships and support, and to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. You can't help your loved one if you are unwell or exhausted.

Self-care

Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your loved one. You won't be able to give them your best if you're not at your best. Caring can be stressful, so it is important that you take care of your own physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Remember your wellbeing is an important part of your loved one's recovery.