How to Help a Bipolar Patient Maintain Balance?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by periods of mania and depression. There are different degrees of bipolar disorder depending on the severity, frequency and duration of the symptoms. Bipolar disorder can affect both men and women. The disorder usually becomes evident during adolescence or in the early twenties. Having a family member who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder increases an individual's chance of developing the disorder substantially. Individuals who are susceptible to bipolar disorder are very positively impacted by a regular schedule, which includes predictable meal times, a regular sleep schedule and a consistent exercise time several times a week.

A bipolar patient has very fragile brain chemistry that can be easily upset by fluctuations in his or her schedule. One of the easiest ways to help a biplor patient thrive is to establish and stick to regular meal times. Nourishing the body at regular and predictable times will keep blood sugar levels balanced and will ease anxiety. Regular, nourishing meals will also help to ground a bipolar patient. Additionally, if he or she is sharing meals in a family setting, or with other individuals, this social interaction will also help to keep a bipolar patient integrated into the social fabric of the community.

A regular sleep schedule is also critically important to supporting and maintaining emotional equilibrium for a bipolar patient. Establishing and maintaining a regular bedtime will help to stabilize physiological rhythms as well as help to support the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. If a bipolar patient does not have a regular bedtime, he or she is much more likely to suffer from depression, agitation, anxiety and mania. Once a regular bedtime is established, the bipolar individual will be able to relax and rest more readily as the body's chemistry stabilizes.

Exercising on a regular basis several times a week has also been clinically demonstrated to help stabilize a bipolar patient. Engaging in moderate aerobic exercise three to five times per week has been shown to help alleviate depression and anxiety in most people. This is even more true for bipolar patients. Exercise helps to boost serotonin and endorphin levels, which will boost a bipolar patient's mood. Additionally, if the bipolar patient exercises in a community or group setting, he or she is also receiving the added benefit of social interaction. This increased level of social interaction will also stave of the isolation that bipolar disorder can bring.