I have a friend with severe Bi-polar disorder, can You lend some advice?

Question

I want to help this friend. She is very depressed, but has alot of potential for growth. Can You offer me any advice as to how I can help pull her out of it??? Thank-You !!!

Answer 1

im really sorry but u cant help her. my aunt has that too.. we just all know that when she is in one of her bad moods and hates us for no reason not to take it to heart cuz she cant help it. now they have meds for that.. but in some cases ppl are better off without them cuz they have lots of bad side affects.. in my opinion just be there for her if she needs to talk about it and dont judge her badly. that will amke her feel worst and get worse. having a good friend like u probaly helps her already!

Answer 2

I have bipolar disorder! First thing she needs to do is want your help or someone elses help. If she doesn't want your help she will not open up to you or allow you to help. She needs to be able to talk about what is causing her depression and what makes her feel so depressed. Bipolar disorder is not just an illness of depression it is also an illness of anger, That is why they call it BI-polar disorder! So, she will also need to let out what causes her to get angry. When she can do this then she can be helped. As a friend you can just be there to support her and be there when she needs someone. Everyone needs a friend and needs support. But the only person who can really help someone that is depressed or angry is themselves. I have seen a psychiatrist for almost seven years and could never get better, I didn't understand why? I was doing everything that I was told to do by the doctor and my therapist, but still wasn't able to get better. One I just sat in my house looking around nothing to do nowhere to go (because I wasn't able to drive do to seizures) and then looked at the front door. I told myself I may not be able to drive, but I can walk. So, I took a two and ahalf mile walk down to my mother-in- laws house sat and visited for awhile. Next thing I knew she started coming over and picking me up at least once a week. We would go shopping or to lunch or just drive around and talk. Your friend needs to realize the samething I had to and if you want help her try the advice that I'm giving you now. I hope this helps and that you do understand what I have just written. GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

My sister has bipolar disorder,and this is a mental illness that requires psychiatric treatment and medication. The ups and downs of this illness can usually be controlled for years, but some people have periods of relapses which make them either manic (where they are on a "High" and nothing can touch them sort of feeling),and they do things out of character such as over spending, then when they realize the damage they've done they "Crash" bringing them down from their Manic High, and become depressed. As for how you can help? I guess my best advise to you is Love them unconditionally,and be there for them when needed, because you must remember this is a mental health condition, and there really is no magic potion that can be used nor said to bring them out of depression. If your friend gets too bad, I would suggest bringing him/her to an emergency room for psychiatric help.

Answer 4

I am bi-polar too. I can be suicidal sometimes. Two or three days ago I thought about mixing up all my mom's meds when she was not home and overdosing on them, hoping I would not be alive the next day. But I did not go through with it.

And two days ago at school I had a breakdown and 10 minutes later I was laughing and was happy. And the breakdown all started when my freshmen sis would not give me a dollar and a bunch of things not related to school...

I am on medication.

Answer 5

To be honest , theres nothing you can do but be there as a friend and let her know this that your there regardless.I know this from being Bi-Polar.I've now been on meds and talk therapy for 5yrs.I've had good days and bad days.I thankfully have a wonderful husband who has been here for me no matter what I said or did.The man stuck by me.It's taken along time and a stay in the Mental Hospital for me to be able to take control and say hey I'm depressed or I'm manic and know how to help myself keep it under control along with taken my meds and seeing my psychiatrist.So Hun the only thing you can do is be there for her and let her know this.

Answer 6

Be there for her. Remember when she is in a down mood, that sometime they will lash out at you, it can be very hurtful to you, but she really will think that whatever it is is that way, regardless of the reality of what happened. It can be scary, as you watch your friend or loved one becoming so out of control. Be support of her, and don't let what she says offend you. You will have to love her a lot. This is a hard friendship to maintain. Always be positive about taking meds, seeing a therapist and doctor. Pray for her and yourself and God bless you, good luck.

Answer 7

You can't pull her out of it. You can only support her. She will have tremendous highs and tremendous lows. If she's on meds encourage her to take them regularly and on time. They can help keep her on a more even keel. You sound like a good friend, best wishes!!!

Answer 8

While it is nice that you want to help, it is up to the person to learn new life skills for dealing with her life challenges. Her depression comes from how she looks at life and not from anything you can do for her.

Answer 9

Give her moral support,but leave the medical aspect up to a Dr.

Answer 10

she needs treatment to , sustain her mode and then u help and support her to be better and to increase and develop those potentials.