Ask Labs: How to support a friend with Bipolar
Each week we ask the members of Open Labs (an innovation lab systematically disrupting social norms so those of us with Bipolar can live Openly with Hope for our future) to share their knowledge by answering a question from non-members about the condition, its effects, and advice on how to help. You can also ask them yourself at the Brain Crawl at Denver Startup Week!
This week’s question came from someone trying to support a friend through the challenges of Bipolar:
Think of a time when you were really struggling where a friend did or said something really helpful. What was it?
Here’s what our members had to say:
I’m frequently asked for advice by other neurotypicals, who are looking to help a friend. I’ve been told that it’s most helpful when I give them specific resources like Sutherland Bipolar (affordable care), recommendations of local psychiatrists that treat Bipolar, and most importantly, telling the stories of those with lived experiences. Michelle’s interview has been incredibly helpful. I’m looking forward to capturing more interviews so we can continue to be helpful to others with similar questions.
Ugh. Hard. This is sad. Cannot think of a time when I was struggling and a friend really helped. My therapist has helped. She told me: “Without people like you, we wouldn’t have art, or space travel. We need your intensity. You are exactly who you need to be.” That really helped.
I had a friend who would come over a few times a week to pick me up and take me to Blockbuster (when such a thing existed) to rent a movie for us to watch together. It got me out of the house and watching a movie without needing to talk helped me feel less alone. Also lists! When I had bad anxiety, my sister would help me get all the things that seemed overwhelming on a simple todo list. Things seemed manageable once I could see them written down.
I think small effort gestures with high engagement pay huge dividends. We talk at least once a week about how much we value our friendship. By doing this I practice self-reflection, gratitude, and gives me a chance to express my needs.
Have a burning question you’d like to ask individuals living in recovery with Bipolar, their supporters, related subject matter experts, and leaders in workplace brain health? Let us know, and we’ll AskLabs! Better yet, ask them yourself at the Brain Crawl at Denver Startup Week!
