PART 1
The first step is awareness, but action is what changes lives. For those with bipolar, managing their disorder in the Indian environment comes with its own unique social, academic and workplace pressures and challenges. Creating supportive ecosystems is not about grand gestures and special treatments. It’s about small and intentional shifts to allow them reprieve in this world designed for the neurotypical.
Here are practical ways we can build a more accommodating India for those with bipolar disorder.
Here are 4 practical ways you can build a more accommodating India for the neurospicy
1. FAMILY: structure not scold
The first line of support is the family. The goal for parents and relatives is to stop criticizing and start collaborative problem solving.
- Don’t label them lazy: depression and crashing after episodes leads to an inability of movement and functioning of basic tasks. Instead of accusing a family member of being lazy and staying in bed, offer gentle nudges. One example is say, “I was going to make some tea, do you want to join me in the living room for 10 minutes?”. Structuring your sentences in this way lowers the barrier to action.
- Sleep is a sanctuary, protect it: erratic, irregular or incomplete sleep is a major trigger. Families can help by respecting the sleep schedule even if the schedule is off by conventional standards. Let them sleep even if it seems too early or too late. Avoid loud noises in the early morning like watching tv or doing chores outside their room. Protect their sleep as you would protect a diabetic’s diet.
- Crisis planning together: take a calm moment to discuss what helps the individual during their low or high phases. Make code words they can use to hint when they are feeling overwhelmed and need to exit social situations without explanation. This way you can build trust and avoid conflict.
2. WORKPLACE: Stigma to Support
Companies should strive for a better work place environment that supports mental health. This retains sharper and more loyal talents.
- Flexibility over rigidity: the 9-to-5 structure can be an impossible task during depressive swings. Offer flexible start hours or explore options like work from home on agreed upon days. Companies should focus on the output and deadlines met rather than the hours spent at a desk. Employee contracts with these specifications will be beneficial for both party’s.
- Silent corners and quiet spaces: when it comes to office buildings that are open-plan, whether it be someone with bipolar or any other neurodivergent individual, it is a sensory nightmare. When those suffering from bipolar experience hypomania or sensory overload, they usually end up hiding in corners. Make dedicated quiet spaces, offer noise-cancelling headphones and make it office policy to allow people to work in quiet spaces without being tagged as antisocial. If you really think about it libraries are quiet spaces and they are considered ‘normal’.
- Mental is medical: offer sick days the same way one would offer a day off for a fever. This should be normalized and destigmatized by those at positions of power say managers and HR’s. this sends a message that the employee’s wellbeing is a priority.
For more information on substance abuse combined with bipolar disorder visit: https://www.ummeedrehab.com/bipolar-disorder/
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