Caretakers Must Take Extra Care of People with Bipolar Disorder Amid Covid-19 Crisis

1. Caretakers Must Take Extra Care of People with Bipolar Disorder Amid Caretakers Must Take Extra Care of People with Bipolar Disorder Amid Covid Covid- -19 Crisis 19 Crisis A behavioral health problem, bipolar disorder (BD) tends to make people give a more reactive response to stress as compared to those without the diagnosis. Of the total people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, about 82.9 percent are known to experience periodic “significant impairment” to their decision-making abilities in particular and lives in general. As suggested by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 2.8 percent of adults in the United States are vulnerable to develop BD each year. What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic depression, is a psychiatric problem between a manic (an emotional high) episode and severe depression. While some people may experience distinct manic or depressed states quite frequently, others may live without symptoms for extended periods, sometimes for years. Generally, symptoms of bipolar disorder can be divided into two major phases – depression and manic. The depression phase is characterized by symptoms like feeling sad, worried, or empty, lack of energy, irregular sleep patterns, difficulty in getting out of bed, eating too much or too little, finding it difficult to focus or remember things, suicide ideation, and having a hard time making decisions. Mania represents rapid changes in moods, making the person more irritable, behave unpredictably, and suffer impaired judgment. During mania episodes, people behave impulsively more frequently, taking unusual risks and making reckless decisions. Usually, physicians prescribe a combination of antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs to treat the depressed phase and mood stabilizers to prevent the switch to the manic phase. Misdiagnosing bipolar disorder as major depression is likely to cause manic episodes in the absence of a safeguard mood-stabilizing drug.

2. Managing Bipolar Disorder during Corona Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has placed people battling bipolar disorder as well as their friends, family, and care providers in a situation of absolute distress. People with bipolar disorder tend to face more problems and challenges due to the following factors: •The lives of people living with BD dwell on regularity and structure, which may be a difficult thing to achieve amid the COVID-19 crisis. •These people are in the need of consistent treatment but standard corona protocols such as isolation and quarantine may interfere with their regular treatment regimen including clinical visits and medication procurement. •Social isolation may be an effective strategy to contain COVID-19 but it is disrupting the support network of people with bipolar disorder. •The fear of illness and associated complications may cause agitation and aggravation of symptoms. •For someone struggling with a depressive episode of BD, loss of life on a mass scale, especially of those they know or had spent time with can leave a debilitating mark on their mental health. •Being under quarantine or in isolation may get extremely difficult for people battling mania or hypomanic episodes. Considering the increased risk of disability in people with BD under COVID-19 circumstances, it is important to take necessary steps to manage these issues. The following coping strategies can prove effective in helping people with BD proactively face and navigate the potential problem of COVID-19 and lockdown: •Acknowledging that these are testing times when it is normal and understandable to feel concerned. •Eating regular, healthy meals. •Establishing and practicing good sleep habits. •Appreciating that the goal is to try to stay calm and manage feelings as they manifest. •Establishing a schedule for working hours and personal time. Giving time to self to relax and connect with family and friends and family. •Staying physically active by running, biking, or walking. •Spending some time outside each day. •Attending therapy sessions online as it can help avoid the stress and scare of Corona without missing usual sessions.

3. •Finding a pharmacy that can deliver medication at home. •Doing various engaging and relaxation activities, such as cooking, writing a journal, reading, and/or doing crossword puzzles. Be prepared for emergency situations Bipolar disorder is a debilitating condition, but with COVID-19 around the risk has grown multi-fold. While we hope and wish an emergency situation doesn’t knock at any door, being prepared can help avoid a critical situation. In case you need any emergency help regarding mental rehabilitation health helpline center you can get in touch with the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline by calling our 24/7 mental helpline 855–653–8178. Our representatives will be happy to provide you the information you are seeking. Alternatively, you can also chat online with our trained representative about mental health rehabilitation helpline centers that provide effective evidence-based treatment programs for bipolar disorder. For more information, please visit: For more information, please visit: - - www.247mentalhealthhelpline.com www.247mentalhealthhelpline.com