Bipolar Disorder
Understand Bipolar Disorder
Manic Phase
Depressive Phase
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
How you can help yourself
How you can help someone with Bipolar Disorder

How you can help someone with Bipolar Disorder
The most important thing you can do to help someone who has bipolar disorder is to encourage them to work with their doctor to get the best treatment. The following are some suggestions for other ways you may be able to help.

Continue to treat him or her as a 'real person'.
   
Be encouraging and be prepared to listen.
   

Try to find ways of dealing with mood swings in advance.
Learn to identify warning signals of an impending manic episode. Work out a 'contract' with the person when he or she is well, covering issues such as which doctor or health-care worker to contact if a manic episode develops, and obtain permission to get help if the person does not take action. This may include involuntary admission to hospital.

   
Learn as much as you can about his or her medication. Encourage the person to take it, but don't become a 'policeman'.
   
   


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