If you get the right "cocktail" of medications (which really are best prescribed by a psychiatrist) you should be in good shape, in my view.

Please read as much as you can about what to do to help keep your good health in
tact by diet, rest, and medications. There is much that we can do ourselves in our
lifestyle that keeps the illness in good control.

Sinces stress is negative in bipolar illness, I would think about whether to tell my
parents. If they see it as taboo, they may not understand your need for medication to alleviate symptoms. In that case, you might wish to postpone discussion of it until they have adjusted to the changes in your personality that occur from proper medication and treatment.