Ten Mistakes People Who Have Bipolar Disorder Make

By David Oliver

1. They Don't Realize the Importance of Money.
Unfortunately, most people with bipolar disorder don't realize that they need to watch their money carefully and plan for the future. They have to take steps to protect their finances during an episode and to not get cheated by erroneous medical bills.

2. They Don't Take Their Medicine Properly.
Other people actually go off their medicine to make sure it was working or to determine if they are really bipolar. Both of these are huge mistakes.

3. They don't Use the Free Resources Available.
There are tons of FREE resources available that will help you manage your illness and become more stable, but very few people with bipolar disorder actually use them.

4. They Don't Accept Help.
Individuals with bipolar disorder are often very stubborn when it comes to accepting help, even from their friends and loved ones. Every bipolar person needs at least one individual they can trust to protect their interests and look out for them during an episode.

5. They don't plan for future episodes.
People may think you're being pessimistic, but they're wrong. It's being realistic. Bipolar disorder doesn't go away, so you need to have a plan in place that will make those future episodes easier for you and your loved ones to deal with.

6. They Don't Have a Support Team.
If you have bipolar disorder, you can't do everything on your own. You need the help of friends and family members and that's why it's critical that you put together a support team of people you trust the most.

7. They Don't Take Care of Their Physical Health.
When someone suffers from a mental illness, it can become that person's primary focus and he or she often loses sight of other health issues. Eating healthy and exercising will not only keep you in better shape but may also prevent some of the triggers that led to bipolar episodes.

8. They Don't Apologize After an Episode.
During episodes, you may say or do hurtful things to the people you care about. If you don't apologize after an episode, you may lose that person from your life forever.

9. They Don't Listen to Others About Episodes.
Friends and family will be able to see signs of an upcoming episode while it's still in its initial stages. They may ask you about them or suggest that you contact your doctor. If they do, you should listen to them. Bipolar disorder clouds reality, so you can't always see how things really are.

10.They Don't Realize There's Nothing to be Ashamed Of.
You have nothing to be ashamed of; it's also not all in your head. Instead of feeling bad about what you can't change, you should be working to educate the rest of the world so that they'll change their perception of the disorder.