If you have a friend who was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she will need your shoulder to lean on. She not only has to come to terms with therapy and any prescribed medication, but also a pendulum of moods swinging from anger and depression to confusion and sadness.
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It’s possible that your friendship may never be the same again. The new and ongoing stress your friend may feel while battling bipolar disorder could change her behavior toward you. She may lash out at you randomly, or even distance herself at times.
You must keep in mind that it’s the mental illness talking, not your friend. She still loves and cares about you as much as she did before. Now, you must be supportive of her struggle.
Here are some ways to help your friend while maintaining a strong relationship through the fight against bipolar disorder:
1. Learn about the illness.
There are a lot of misconceptions about people suffering from bipolar disorder. Don’t believe everything you hear. Read up on bipolar disorder and learn as much as you can about the illness. This will lead to a better understanding of what your friend and the 5.7 million other U.S. adults are going through.