Need help w/friend that might be Bipolar

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Need help w/friend that might be Bipolar
3
Thu, 07-21-2005 - 12:11am

I'm glad I found this board!


I'm just wondering how to help a friend that I suspect

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Thu, 07-21-2005 - 11:24am

Hi,

Your friend certainly exhibits a lot of bipolar symptoms, but the only way to know for sure is for her to be diagnosed by a medical professional. Unfortunately, since she blames all of her behavior on MS, she sounds like she is resistant to getting any help or taking responsibility for her actions.

One thing I DO know for sure is that you cannot help someone who doesn't want help. My father blamed all of his bipolar behavior (he was bipolar I) on being slightly diabetic. He never, until the day he died, admitted he was bipolar, even with multiple diagnosis by different doctors.

I don't know what to tell you except that you may want to bring this to the attention of her family and let it go at that... Whether you limit contact with her is also up to you. Although, she probably needs a good friend to talk to her (the best time would be when she is NOT acting manic or hyperactive).

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2005
Fri, 07-22-2005 - 3:44pm
Hi there,
I have been doing some reading recently because I suspect I am bi-polar, so I am by no means an expert and don't really have experience with the disease, but from what I have read it really sounds like your friend might be. Here is a link to info on the disease on the National Institute of Mental Health's site, I found it very helpful and informative! http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
I have to say, you're a great friend for trying to help her. Everyone should have someone like that!
Cheers
Anne
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 1:59pm

Your friend certainly is exhibiting some behavior that could be indicative of BP.