My sister and I are both Bi-Polar ... she is Bi-Polar I and I am Bi-Polar II (the lesser of two evils). Thankfully with my BP-II the swings are not nearly as severe therefore not quite as damaging and my medications do seem to help me a GREAT deal. My sister however has suffered terribly most of her life and she just got out of the hospital last week after yet another overdose in a "suicide" attempt. I say it that way because after all of the attempts you would think she would have succeeded or done more damage but I really think it is a desperate plea for help from her!

Anyway, in my opinion, the best you can do is just be available to talk when she feels the need. Let her know that you realize she has a disease and isn't just a "bad or mean person"!!! Yes, we often get ourselves into trouble and ruin relationships but trust me, we suffer greatly from that. It comes to the point where you feel like "damaged goods" and you avoid relationships and people in general in order to spare them and yourself the pain. Thank GOD that I have my husband who loves me unconditionally and is always by my side. Sadly, my sister has not been able to find a wonderful man and has scared quite a few away with her illness.

The thing that I would most want people to know about Bi-Polar Disorder is that it is an ILLNESS ... a chemical imbalance in the brain at the very least ... and it can take years to ever get the right medication mix and it does tend to get worse with age!!! We do not choose to be this way and we would just like for the population to educate themselves more and realize that what we do is typical for the disorder ... we are not just mean, nasty, or crazy people!

Kim