how do you best support someone who has battled depression most of their lives & recently diagnosed bipolar?

Question

She is in denial about the diagnosis and continuously goes off of her meds. & tries natural supplements in place of. She is convinced that it's a mis-diagnosis. I have tried to tell her to get a 2nd opinion as she doesn't really like her current Dr. so I'm hoping that might help if she pursues another Dr.

bkt, I'm not judging nor do I think it's a negative thing by any means. I think any kind of mental disease can be dealt with & lived with, just like diabetes or any other kind of disease. You take your meds, follow Dr.'s orders & you can live a happy, normal life.

Answer 1

Celebrate with her. This is good news. You sound as though you are doing great anyway........encourage her to get a 2nd opinion. Good luck to you both.

Thanks Dewy.

Answer 2

I was in denial also when I was first diagnosed with bipolar and that was over 10 years ago. It took awhile for me to accept. Your friend is probably wondering why me. If your friend really thinks that the diagnoses could be a mistake then go ahead and get a second opinion, it definatly won't hurt anything. It just might put her mind at ease. If she finds out that she really does have this disorder it is not the end of the world. It may seem that way to your friend right now but there are good meds out there today. The last thing your friend wants to do is stop taking her meds without speaking to her doctor first. It could really make her disorder spiral down fast. If she really has it. She is lucky to have a friend who cares enough about her to ask these questions in her behalf. Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 3

Learn as much as you can about the disorder. This can help you to deal with difficult situations. When you do things together, try to keep to safe activities (no drinking or drugs, no wild parties). If she is really fighting the diagnosis or the meds don't help, she should definitely get a second opinion. There are several personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, that can masquerade as bipolar and are often misdiagnosed as bipolar. Honestly though, she may just not be ready to accept that she has a lifelong mental illness. Just be there for her and be her friend. That's about all you can do.

Answer 4

Do not judge.

And remember the label the doctor gave her is not her true identity.

If people go around always calling her Bipolar.
it will scar her for life, and as a result she will waver off her meds very frequently.

Simply be there for her. Love and accept her, with no negative criticisms or judgements toward her. If she does not have support, and encouragement, it may eventually lead to suicide as statistics have proven.

Do Not ever abandon her. A friend will stick with their friend and endure with her if she truly loves her. Be Very Patient with her.
Go out and do things with her.

Also remember, the sum total of what a person is, what they choose to be(come) comes from there "Thought-life".

Have her read, "Wherever You Go, There You Are." by: Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn He is also the author of "Coming to Our Senses." I highly recommend both, excellent, easily applicable, and very intuitive.

You might want to read it as well to help your friend.

This will be very helpful for Both of you.

Answer 5

denial is par for the course. Get yourself educated:- http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven then see if you can encourage her to learn. The key is med compliance. Without that, she is doomed to a pattern of repeating episodes.

Answer 6

Typical thought pattern for depressives and bipolars. Take care of yourself first then you'll be ready for what comes your way.

You can't cure her, but you can hurt yourself....

Answer 7

lou b's answer is right on...