Tell Your Family About Your Bipolar Depression

Being diagnosed with bipolar depression or disorder, once known as manic depression, is hard for anyone. The hardship of a chronic mental illness such as bipolar disorder can be lessened by having support from your family. If you were diagnosed with it, there are ways to tell your family about your bipolar disorder.

Getting Ready to Tell Your Family

 * 1) Come up with what you are going to say. Before you get your family together to tell them about your bipolar depression, figure out exactly what you want to say. This will make you more prepared, which will help you feel less stressed and worried while you are telling them.[[Image:Hire-a-Private-Investigator-to-Confirm-Infidelity-Step-1-Version-3.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Try making a list of all the points you want cover when you talk with them. Even if you don't use all the points when you talk with them, you will feel more prepared and ready to discuss your disorder.
 * 3) *For example, put together a list of when your symptoms first started, why you sought out for treatment, how long you've been in treatment, etc.
 * 4) Decide who you are comfortable sharing with. When you are telling your family about your disorder, you may not want to tell every member of your family. You may be comfortable telling your whole immediate family, such as your mom, dad, and siblings, but you may want to hold off telling others. [[Image:Know-if-a-Guy-Doesn't-Like-You-Back-Step-8.jpg|center]]
 * 5) *You can start off small and then gradually tell the rest of your family. If you are not close with parts of your immediate family, you may not be comfortable telling all of them either.
 * 6) *You can tell whomever you want. There is no right or wrong answer when deciding who to tell.
 * 7) *Mental illness is a very personal part of you life, so you may not feel comfortable telling everyone until you have told those closest to you first.
 * 8) Be ready for any reaction. You need to be ready to accept any way your family may react to the news of your bipolar depression. Your family may react with love and support. However, there may be some family members who will not be the most supportive about your bipolar depression. They may try to convince you that your mental illness is not real or valid or that you are fine and don't need help. [[Image:Know-when-to-Get-Mental-Health-Counseling-Step-14-Version-2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) *Unfortunately, this is still a common stigma attached to bipolar depression and many other mental illnesses.
 * 10) *For example, your family may tell you, "You're fine. You just need to snap out of his funk and you'll be fine." or "This is just an excuse to act in whatever way you want whenever you want. Just get a grip and act normal."
 * 11) *If this happens, look to friends or other family members who will hopefully be more accepting.

Explaining Your Condition to Your Family

 * 1) Discuss bipolar symptoms. When you tell your family about your bipolar depression, you need to explain exactly what bipolar depression is. Explain that bipolar depression is a mood disorder that causes extreme mood swings, from emotional highs, also known as mania, to depressive lows.[[Image:Know-when-to-Get-Mental-Health-Counseling-Step-7-Version-2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Tell them that these moods shift back and forth will little to no pattern.
 * 3) *For example, tell your family "There will be times when I am extremely happy or excited about things. There may also be days where I can't get out of bed or that I'll lash out at you because I can't deal with anyone else."
 * 4) Explain the realities of your particular situation. Each person's bipolar depression manifests in different ways. When you tell your family about your condition, you should explain what they can expect from your particular situation. This may be hard to explain, but you will likely understand at least the general outline of how your condition works since you have been diagnosed and are likely working with your doctor or therapist.[[Image:Ignore-Annoying-People-Step-10.jpg|center]]
 * 5) *Let your family know if you tend more toward mania or depressive episodes and how you are likely to act during each.
 * 6) *Also let them know this will change and may be unpredictable. Just let them know the basics of what to expect from your particular case.
 * 7) *For example, say "I tend to have longer bouts of depression where it is really hard for me to leave my house. If I don't call you back for days at a time, it is not because I don't care. I just can't."
 * 8) Let your family know it's not their fault. When you tell your family about your bipolar depression, make it clear that it isn't their fault. Many family members may not understand the way you act during these episodes and may take it as a personal affront to them. They may also think that your behaviors were caused by something they said or did to you.[[Image:Make-Someone-Fall-in-Love-with-You-Step-8-Version-2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) *Do your best to explain that you may do or say things during these episodes that may upset them, but that it has nothing to do with them in most cases.
 * 10) *Let your family know "When I lash out at you or ignore you for days on end, it isn't because you did something to me. I am likely dealing with a depressive episode and I can't help the way I feel."
 * 11) Ask them for help. When you are going through a manic or depressive episode, you need someone you can call on to help you. Once your family knows about your bipolar disorder, they can help you in ways that they were not able to before they knew about your disorder. [[Image:Know-if-a-Guy-Doesn't-Like-You-Back-Step-7-Version-2.jpg|center]]
 * 12) *You can designate family members you can call if you have a particularly hard depressive episode or someone who can deal with you if you are in a manic episode.
 * 13) *There are some people with bipolar disorder that may suffer from suicidal thoughts during depressive episodes. If you suffer from major depressive episodes, especially severe ones, make sure you have a family member that will look in on you and help talk you back from these thoughts. Have them check in on you and make sure you are in the right head space.
 * 14) *Ask your family, "If you don't hear from me after three phone calls or texts, could you come and check up on me? Maybe drop by my apartment and see if I'm alright?"

Telling Your Family in the Right Way

 * 1) Do it some place private. Talking about mental illness is not an easy topic anywhere you do it. Given the personal nature of the topic, try to do it someplace private, like your home or at one of your family member's homes. This will give you all the privacy you need to deal with the tough discussion.[[Image:Help-Your-Overweight-Girlfriend-or-Boyfriend-Be-Healthy-Step-6.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *This will prevent you from getting interrupted while discussing it.
 * 3) Listen to what your family has to say. Even though you are the one with bipolar disorder, it affects those around you as well. Listen to your family express any worries or concerns they have about your condition and how it affects them.[[Image:Live-with-Herpes-Step-12.jpg|center]]
 * 4) *This may be hard to do since you are the one with bipolar depression disorder. However, make sure you keep your mind open and really hear their concerns.
 * 5) Let them know you are getting treatment. Explain to your family that the treatment for bipolar depression is long term. Even when you feel better, you will need to continue treatment. You should also explain each part of your treatment to your family so they truly understand what you are doing to help. [[Image:Know-when-to-Get-Mental-Health-Counseling-Step-12-Version-2.jpg|center]]
 * 6) *This will likely be some combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication.
 * 7) *For example, tell you family, "I am working with a therapist to work through my issues, I am on medication to help level out my moods, and I am working on changing my though patterns and life choices to bring me a better, more stable life."
 * 8) Provide them with resources. A good way to help your family understand is to give them places they can look for support. Tell them about support groups they can join, online education resources they can read, or offer to go to a family therapy session with them.[[Image:Overcome-Emotional-Sensitivity-Step-19.jpg|center]]
 * 9) *Organizations such as Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, National Institute of Mental Health, and the Mayo Clinic have a plethora of online resources your family can use to better understand your condition.
 * 10) *There are online support groups locators for the United State and other countries that your family can use to find a bipolar support group near you.

Sources and Citations
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