who told you you can't talk or act a certain way around her? That's good she is getting therapy but why isn't she taking the meds? You shouldn't have to tip toe around her, even though it seems Like you have to just for her to be stable. Sounds like she needs to be on meds fast. I mean I wouldn’t do anything to start a fight with her since she isn’t medicated right now but the best thing you can do is convince her that she needs them.

I am Bipolar and I have noticed that since being on Meds, my moods have gotten 10 times better! I also noticed that I am not as sensitive to criticism as I had been in the past, except from my family thats whole new issue! But you should give her a chance to get stabilized on medication before you guys can resume a normal relationship! You guys must absolutely convince her that Meds are important, If she waits then it will only get worse, the disease progresses, from experience I wish I was on medication earlier! I am definitely glad I am on them now!
I hope this helps
Adam Noor

Hey

Yes. I am a very mild mannered person who has BD. And when someone asks me "have you taken your meds" i do really have to control myself to not be angry.

Im not sure why this is.

I guess when people say "take your meds" it is almost like saying a person is unwell or is abnormal. Of course, in a sense this is true. But i like to think when i take my tablets (i dont like medicine word) that they are just simply resetting a slight misbalance i have in my brain. In a way, BD sufferers are unique since our brains become hyperactive and thus we need a little help to control our moods.

I take lithium and the thing that i found really interesting was the history of the drug. This isnt a modern day pharmaceutical product. This has unknowlingly been used for millenia. In ancient greece, there were old men who were manic (insane, use whatever word you like) and they were sent to relax in spas. Now these water areas had lithium salts within the water and this could have helped calm the person down.

Try to talk to the person when they are really calm. And dont make the stuation into a big event, like dont say "i need to talk to you at 8pm abot a serious matter." Just casually throw it in there. Or get them to find out how the drugs actually work, modern pharmacology is very good.

Charlie

I agree with Charlies answer, and I especially like his explanation of Lithium.

As far as your friend, leave her be.

Let her know your there for her but give her some space and don't try to psychoanalyze her.

Keep the topic light, don't dwell on the past and try to look at the bright side when talking to her.

Laughing is good!