Question 6: Where can carers go to find more information to support a loved one? @cloudcore
You can also think about developing a relapse prevention plan or a wellbeing plan.
Relapse Prevention Plans
A relapse prevention plan can be written up by the individual in close consultation with family, friends, workmates and/or health professionals. It aims to inform, keep safe and to protect a person from the risks of future episodes.
It provides a plan for the worse case scenarios – what to do, what not to do, who to call etc. Wellbeing plans can also remind, inspire, and challenge the individual. To act upon early warning signs, a plan may involve reducing a person’s workload, taking a day off, cancelling stressful appointments, or increasing medication (as arranged with psychiatrist).
If sleep is an issue, it could mean taking a sleeping tablet, or get some exercise and sunlight to help with sleep. If the issue involves forgetting medication, then a support person could help remind them for the rest of the week.
Not everyone is able to develop a wellbeing plan on their own and stick to it. It can be challenging and is not for everyone.
Tips for creating a wellbeing plan
Some tips for things you may include in your well-being plan may be to:
- Nominate a support person who understands bipolar disorder, who is willing to learn, who knows you well and who can help you if case of a crisis. Tell the support person what the steps are if the relapse symptoms persist, such as calling the psychiatrist or psychologist etc. Give them a list of emergency numbers: Lifeline, Suicide Call Back Service etc.
- Discuss their role with them openly so there is clear agreement.
- Write down the things that may trigger a relapse for you, for both high and low episodes.
- Write down the early warning signs of a relapse.
- Write down which medication you are taking and how much.
- Write down what the dos and don’ts are for when you develop these early warning signs, to help the person know how deal with the situation.
Plans need to be revised every so often with a health care professional and your support person, to make alterations after learning more about your signs and symptoms. You could ask things like:
- Which person is best equipped to help you in a crisis?
- What worked last time and what did not?
- What did other people do or say that helped the most?
- What did other people do or say that made things worse?
- What did you do yourself that helped or did not help?
- Now that you have recovered, has your perspective changed on what others did and said when you were unwell?
