Living+With+Bipolar+Disorder

Living with bipolar disorder is much the same as living with other medical illnesses. With proper medications, education and support bipolar disorder can be treated. As long as the individual with the disorder is willing to help themselves it is possible for family and friends to be a great help and support network as well. For individuals living with bipolar disorder it is especially important to keep up with regularly daily activities. Some things that may help include going to sleep and waking up about the same time each day, being active every day, trying not to skip meals or eat too much, asking your healthcare provider about the use of alcohol, not using illicit drugs, and telling your healthcare provider about any medicines and vitamins you are taking. Other important steps to consider are to “ask trusted family and friends to help you, fill out your mood chart on a regular basis, take your medicines on time, see your healthcare provider regularly, and make a list of people to call if you are not doing well” (Bipolar.com, 2009). For the family and friends of an individual living with bipolar disorder it is important to be patient, understanding, and supportive. It can also be helpful learn about the disorder to provide your loved one with personalized support. A loved one can “learn about bipolar disorder, its causes, and its treatments, learn to recognize the warning signs of depression and mania and if you notice them in a caring manner suggest a visit to their healthcare provider, encourage the patient to stay with treatment, work with the patient to help them keep their healthcare appointments, help monitor medicine use, do things with a person recovering from an episode, and consider using times when moods are stable to discuss and develop safety plans” (Bipolar.com, 2009). Many people living with bipolar disorder continue to live successful and fulfilling lives including employment, love, and family. People such as Jim Morrison of the popular rock band “The Doors” suffered from Bipolar Disorder, as well as Jim Carrey and Robin Williams, among others.
 * __Living with Bipolar Disorder: __** [[image:http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/gcms/photogallery_famous_people_with_bipolar_disorder_02_full.jpg width="180" height="240" align="textTop" caption="Carrie Fisher"]]