Here are three real life situations of bipolar patients and suggestions by eminent Psychiatrist Dr. Rajesh Parikh of Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai.

"He tends to get violent."

Nimisha Anand, a homemaker, is tired of her husband's bipolar problems.

She says exasperatedly, "I was not told of this behaviour before marriage and now I have to live with it. In the normal phase, he is a really good husband and father. But during his manic phases, small things tend to make him angry."

"In fact," she continues, "We have to be extra careful during his manic phases or he tends to get violent and abusive too."

Dr. Parikh's Take…

Sometimes a bipolar phase just cannot be helped, and this is one of those situations. Remember, a bipolar disorder is not situational, it is an illness. Since, he is a loving and understanding husband when he is in his normal phase, just be understanding during his manic phase. Also, make sure you give him his medicines on time. This will keep the manic phase in check to some extent.

"We have no savings."

"My husband is a wonderful person," says PR professional Sadia Khan. "I knew him before marriage, so I knew about his bipolar disorder."

"But," she continues, "It gets extremely irritating when, during his manic phases, he feels extremely lucky and spends all our savings on stocks and bonds. I have tried to explain to him that it is silly to spend all the money but he reassures me of great returns. Now we have no savings."

Dr. Parikh's Take…

In this case also, you must give your husband his medication on time. On the problem front, you can take charge of the bonds. It should be done bilaterally.

In fact, when he is in the normal phase, you can ask him for permission (and you will require signatures too!) to make sure both of you can access these bonds.

So, when he gets into a manic phase, he cannot access the bonds without your approval.

"I'm Mrs. Lonely"

Satabhisha Rai, a commerce graduate, feels helpless because she cannot help her 45-year-old mother get out of a depressive bipolar phase.

"Those weeks feel like forever, when my mother just feels as though there is no one in her life. She feels sad for no apparent reason and huddles in a corner, crying miserably over silly things. I feel really bad for her and I don't know what to do."

Dr. Parikh's Take…

A depressive phase is the complete opposite of the manic state. A loved one going through a depressive state can leave you feeling tired and helpless.

Seek counselling with a good psychiatrist at this stage, not only for your mother, but for yourself as well.

In fact, couples who are going through this problem need to go together for counselling. Also, make sure your loved one takes their medication on time. This is the only way you can help.