Dealing with Bipolar Disorder
If you have bipolar disorder, get treatment and stick with it. Here are some tips:

• Talk to your doctor about your treatment.
• Stay on your medication.
• Keep a routine for eating and sleeping.
• Get enough sleep.
• Learn to recognize your mood swings.
• Ask a friend or relative to help you stick with your treatment.
• Be patient. Improvement takes time.
• Chart your moods to help figure out what triggers episodes and how medications are working.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself, call a doctor, 911 or go to the emergency room. You can also call a toll-free suicide hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255); the TTY number is 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). If you’re with someone in crisis, don’t leave them alone.