The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

What advice would you share with others diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

I was initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 13. Bipolar disorder can be traced back several generations in my family. My paternal grandmother had the disorder and passed it on to her two children, my father and aunt. All of my cousins have the disorder along with all of my siblings. Now my daughter is showing the symptoms early at age 7.

I guess I have a different outlook on the disease. Yes, it can be hard. I have experienced life among the clouds and the fall to the ground of sadness below. I believe that God or nature (or whatever you believe created us) made me this way for a reason. Because of this disease, I have creativity and a brilliant mind. I have learned to empathize with basically any emotional plight of another (because I have experienced most of them). Overall, it has allowed me to become a stronger and better person. I don't allow the disorder to get me down. I am highly aware of myself and I know if my medication is not working anymore, then I go and see my doctor. I have learned that it is okay to ask for help and okay to give it. I am able to function in an abnormally "normal" society. I work full time, attend college full-time and consider myself a good mom. I believe it is all the frame of mind one takes.

My older brother is the opposite of me. He uses his disease as a means to an end. He feeds into it to enable him to manipulate his way through life. He lacks the perseverance of my sister and I. We refuse to allow it to handicap us, while he lets it control his life. Truly, it is just another mountain to climb in the trail of life. Yes, I know the mountain will occasionally will jump into the path, but I am aware of it and expect it. I know that it can inhibit my life, but I have to see the positive aspects to move on. I survive by taking my medication, being highly self aware, and seeing life for what it truly is. . . a gift. Don't allow it to bring you down, and never give up!!! It is all in your outlook.

—perfectlyhuman

I don't have bipolar myself, but my oldest sister had it. We found out she had it when she was in her 20s and did not know much about the disorder. After much struggling, we tried to educate ourselves on how to help my sister and really just how to live with her. Being her sister and her best friend, I find myself at times feeling guilty for maybe not doing enough, or maybe doing too much. There were many years, where we as family members found it easier to just stay away from her then learn to deal with her illness. I know now that if I could give any advice to families with bipolar relatives, it would be to never give up on your loved ones. Do as much research as you can about the illness. They need a huge, strong, loving support network that will never give up on them. One thing that I did learn is that you can love a person and hate an illness. Sometimes I forgot this, and I find myself having a hard time with that. I urge you ... Please, please, don't give up. Don't lose your friends, family and loved ones to this illness. Fight it and learn about it.

—wemissusis

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Review Date: May 01, 2009