Someone Has Told You They Have Bipolar Disorder-Now What?

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There is still a stigma associated with mental illness so first realize it took great courage for them to tell you they have bipolar disorder. So the first thing you should do is thank them for sharing that with them and acknowledge their bravery.

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

After they have told you, it depends on how much you know about the illness. If you don’t know anything about it, let them know that and ask them to explain what it is. That is if you genuinely care about them.

If you don’t know them very well and have no interest in learning abour it, be honest and upfront and just say something like ” I didn’t know that, but thanks for sharing that with me” and leave it at that. If you are not going to care too much, that’s your choice, just don’t be fake as people with bipolar disorder will sense that and it will make them feel worse. They will just learn to accept it even though it might be hard, but they will move on and will know not to bring it up again.

They might think you are judgemental and insensitive and are someone who has succumbed to the stigma. However, that was your choice and there are times it is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. It can be draining to be a friend, acquaintance, or family member of someone with a severe mental illness.

EMPLOYER OR INTERVIEWER

If by chance an employee or someone in an interview tells you, choose your words widely because you don’t want to risk appearing that you are discriminating against them.

If they tell you when they are already employed, my advice is to inquire about how it can possibly affect their work, let them know you will try and accommodate them as much as you can. Try to show some sort of concern or way to relate ( acknowledge you know what it is or know someone who has it.)

Assure them that you are there if they need to talk about how it could affect their job and assure them you will attempt to help them out. Sometimes it just requires a day off or to lessen heir workload temporarily. Chances are if they are working, they are highly functional and there will hardly ever be a problem.

I don’t know of how the laws work as to when you can terminate someone after they tell you they have a mental illness. However, in my opinion, it should be treated the same as if they had cancer or heart or kidney problems. It is an illness.it just happens to affect their brain.

If their illness is affecting their work in extreme ways, have a discussion with them and Human Resources as to what you can do as I am sure if they are causing harm to your company, termination would be necessary.

Mainly, remember that it is a hard thing for someone with bipolar disorder to tell you about their illness of the brain. Many have wrestled with it. It is a common question asked in groups i have been a part of as to when to tell someone. Nothing says you have to tell your employer because as far as I know, you can’t ask. I have heard stories where people are glad they told their employer and also have heard horror stories. Be prepared ahead of time so in case it happens, you will know what to do and how you will react.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO GET INVOLVED AND CARE

First, know that there are different ways of getting involved. You can just let them know you care and then there are people who really want to help and get involved. .Decide right away how much you want to get involved and let them know that.

It is important to set boundaries and be up front with them of what they are.

If they are at any time not respecting those boundaries, let them know. It is important for your own mental health to distance yourself from them if you need to. They should respect that, but be prepared that they might not be as that can be partof the illness. Stand your ground. They might not understand at the time or even lash out at you in anger, but know that when they are more themselves they will most likely understand and probably even apologize.

Second, after deciding how much you are willing to get involved and you have set your boundaries, here are some tips of what you can do:

TIPS ON HOW TO HELP

How My Dad has Helped me with my Bipolar Disorder

I Care for Someone Who Has a Mental Illness and Want to do More to Help Them