WebMD published a list of things family members of people with bipolar disorders (applies to other severe mental illness as well) can do to make the holiday season smooth and incident-free for everyone. The list includes:
Be direct. This is by far the most important suggestion when helping a loved with bipolar disorder. Don’t just guess at how you can help; sit down and talk with your loved one. Ask what you can do. Ask how you can check in on them without being intrusive. Preferably, do it early — aim for late October, says Ellen Frank, PhD, director of the depression and manic depression prevention program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Pare down the guest list. A huge family gathering may be overwhelming for a person with bipolar disorder. If you’re hosting, think about planning something more modest this year, especially if there are specific family members who tend to trigger mood swings in your loved one. In order to make it up to the people you didn’t invite, get together with them after your loved one with bipolar disorder has left.
Offer a place to go during a party. If you’re hosting a get-together, offer your loved one a place to retreat to during the party if things get too intense. Having a place to unwind for a few minutes by lying down, reading, or watching television may make him or her much more relaxed.
Of course, this advice is for family members who are supportive. Not everyone has relatives willing to make accommodations, or even acknowledge the illness. Not everyone will spend the holiday with, or still have, family, and some will have no celebration at all. Many mentally ill people are estranged from family due to the illness. If you gather with caring relatives, share the goodwill. Do make advance plans that can ease communication and stress.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Nov 2006
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Kiume, S. (2006). Advance Holiday Tips for Families. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 25, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2006/11/15/advance-holiday-tips-for-families/
