14 Expert: How Can the Family Support a Child Living with Bipolar Disorder?
BY DEEANN WONG, M.D., INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION MEDICAL DIRECTOR
The role of the family is crucial to guide someone towards and help them maintain wellness and stability. However, it can often be hard to know the best ways to help care for your child or loved one. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some tips from our Medical Director, Dr. DeeAnn Wong.
Supporting your child
- Keep a regular, predictable daily schedule
- Keep regular bedtimes and wake up times, especially for teens who tend to stay up later at night
- Avoid staying up overnight during sleepovers because this can worsen cycling
- Encourage at least 20-30 minutes of physical activity each day. This includes walking, playing frisbee, tossing a football around, etc.
- Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours per day
- Limit energy drinks and caffeine to no more than 1-2x/week
- Check in with them each day to see how they are doing. Bedtime for younger kids tends to work well. For older kids, sometimes talking in the car works because nobody is expected to make eye contact with each other. Mealtimes are another opportunity to check in.
- Invite them out to run errands and do activities outside of the house, even if they turn you down.
- Keep an open ear and let them vent.
- Listen for comments that hint at hopelessness and/or suicidality. If they behave in a way that is not physically safe towards themselves, property or others, then bring them to the ER. If they refuse to go, call 911.
- Make sure they are taking all their medications correctly.
- Give hugs if your kid is the huggy type.
To learn more about the role of the family in pediatric bipolar disorder, check out our webinar: Suicide Risk & Prevention in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: The Role of the Family, presented by Dr. Sally Weinstein.
About the Author
DeeAnn Wong, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. Her practice is in Encinitas, in North San Diego County. She provides consultative and treatment services for patients of all ages within an outpatient setting. Dr. Wong makes every effort to provide the best care possible within a confidential and compassionate setting. Dr. Wong is the Medical Director of the International Bipolar Foundation.