We’ve all recently seen the turbulent tweets Kanye West had shared over the past week, clearly indicating that he is in a dark and difficult place now. This was later confirmed when Kim Kardashian took to Instagram to share a statement. She explained how Kanye suffers from bipolar disorder and how, due to this, his words can be hugely misunderstood.

Despite some of the comments that Kanye had made, including claiming he had been trying to get a divorce for months, Kim stood in solidarity with Kanye and addressed the importance of supporting loved ones that suffer from mental health issues. Here’s how you can offer support to your partner or loved one that has bipolar disorder.

Research and Learn 
One of the most important things you can do if your partner has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder is to do lots of research to understand some of the symptoms of the illness. The more you know, the easier it will be to recognize certain behaviors and deal with them in the best way possible.

Have Honest, Open Conversations
Show your support through honest and open communication. Whether your loved one is having a bad day or is particularly struggling with their symptoms, allow them to open up to you and be honest about how they’re truly feeling. Patience is essential, and offering ways to help them will be incredibly appreciated. The more open you are, the more likely they will come to you for support and advice in the future as they will feel comfortable enough to do so.

Encourage Them To Get Help 
No matter how supportive and understanding you are, sometimes professional help is needed. Try to encourage your loved one to seek advice from their doctor to see if there is anything they can do to manage their symptoms. You shouldn’t wait for things to get worse before you take action.