There are a few things you should know about bipolar disorder. This is especially true if you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Understanding what it means to be bipolar and how to handle different situations are musts. Please keep reading for 7 things you should know about bipolar disorder.

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1. What is It?

One of the first things you should know about bipolar disorder is the definition. According to WebMD, bipolar disorder is noted for causing severe changes in mood. A person with bipolar disorder can go from feeling euphoric, energetic, and powerful to feeling completely worthless and fall into a deep depression. These highs and lows can last for periods of days, weeks, or months, or just as sudden outbreaks.

2. It Doesn’t Define a Person

Bipolar disorder is considered a mental illness. It can affect a person's mood, thoughts, and how they act, but we shouldn’t let this disorder define a person. There is still much more to a person with bipolar disorder than the erratic behavior caused by this mental illness.

3. Treatment

A person with bipolar disorder needs proper medical treatment. Proper treatment includes medication and possible therapy. Without proper medical care people with bipolar disorder will struggle with relationships, careers, and life. It is also important to note that over time treatment may change. A person may need to adjust medication or seek different types of therapy.

4. Support

A person with bipolar disorder needs a good support system. They need people that will stand up for them, be in their corner when things get a little scary. They need friends and family who understand that some things they say and do shouldn’t be taken personally. Instead of lashing back at a person with bipolar disorder, you may need to seek help for them. If you know someone with bipolar disorder, how do you offer them support?

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5. Stress Relief

Life gets stressful and crazy things happen. If you have bipolar disorder it is these life events that may send you into a downward spiral. In order to avoid such things it is good to have a plan to manage stress. We all know stress can’t be avoided, but we can decide to react to stress appropriately. If you know someone with bipolar disorder is going through a stressful moment in life, encourage them to exercise, try yoga, or other stress relieving activities. Offer your own suggestions for relieving stress.

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6. Live Healthy

Another great way to help with bipolar disorder is to live healthy. Eat right, exercise, drink plenty of water, and get ample amounts of sleep in order to live a healthy life.

7. Share Your Concern

If you are close to someone with bipolar disorder, don’t be afraid to speak up. They may not be aware of their erratic behavior, or they may be too scared to do anything about it. Come to them from a place of love and express what you are seeing in them and why it worries you. Recommend they seek help from a doctor. If your loved one is at risk of hurting themselves or others, seek immediate help for them without hesitation.

Do you or anyone you know have bipolar disorder? What has your experience been like? What do you wish people better understood about this mental illness?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

#2 Amen! Bi-polar disorder by definition is having or relating to two poles or extremes. It is technically marked by two mutually repellant forces or opposing viewpoints. Isn't that the same as a person who can operate in multiple different dimensions? I am the type of person who can see all sides of an argument, and can see why all sides are valid. I'm tired of labels, and grouping people into "illness categories" instead of identifying uniqueness and difference of opinions and thoughts. This has to change. Some of the greatest people and most advanced minds I have met came from being in "mental health" facilities. Label me however you want, I could care less. I know who I am and who I came from...I know what I am on this Earth to do, and I will stop at nothing to get there. All of the doubters will simply need to catch up to me once I am there. There have been many hardships in my life. Bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse...the list goes on and on. I am none of those things. I am not an alcoholic. I am Lauren Thomas, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an advocate, a peacemaker, a leader, and many other things. But most of all, I am a free thinker and a dreamer who will stop at NOTHING to fulfill my life's purpose. God Bless.

I have bipolar disorder and the best advice I can give is to make sure you're seeing an understanding doctor. Tell him everything you go through, and once he prescribes something for you, don't stop taking it unless you talk to him first. I'm on five medications right now and I am living a great life. You don't have to suffer needlessly. Great article!

I'm dating a man who is bipolar and this has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. Its not easy and you need all the strength you can get! Read up on it and be honest with your partner etc.. What I will say is both parties need to work together but sometimes then one without the disorder might find your trying to keep things going. Have faith and hopefully you will make it through! :)

Thank you so much for writing this article. People really need to understand that being bi-polar is a serious mental disease, as you informatively mentioned. Some people consider you to be such an ignorant and rude person and have no idea that you have a mental disease. Just recently, about 3 months ago..I was finally diagnosed with this mental disorder and in a way, it really was a relief in the sense that I finally found a solution to an ongoing crisis in my 27 years of life. I'm on medication and see my psychiatrist once a month. I really hope my life will gradually change so I can have a stable emotional life. Thanks so much for putting this serious disorder out in the open. More people really need to know about this.

It's so great that after all these years, society is beginning to recognize that, just like any other organ, the brain can also malfunction. Bipolar disorder is a living nightmare to have to live with. I'm fortunate that after 30 years of barely surviving the nightmare, I found (on my own) that I have a GLUTEN INTOLERANCE that was was causing my illness. Doctors brushed off my discovery, but I've been living an even tempered and joyous Rx free life for 7 years now with no symptoms. I would never recommend anyone go off their Rx, but I do recommend looking into dietary options. Google: brain allergies