The area that may be hardest for loved ones is when their bipolar loved one refuses to follow medical advice. I have bipolar disorder, but I also live with a husband and a son who have bipolar disorder, so I see it from both sides. It is important that we don't enable poor self-care. We've had to make it a rule in our house that we will stay on our med regime consistently. If we don't, we are not holding up our end of the deal because once our meds aren't on board we are not only affecting our own health but also the health of every member of the family. Sometimes it takes some tough love.