The problem is when you start medicine you've already had bipolar for so long that you a used to the mood swings. So not having the mood swings feels off. Stable feels odd. Medicine have side effects like tiredness that can feel Soul crushing because you're not used to it.

You only remember the highs and a lot of people can romanticize them. Screwing up on your work or getting mad at your family for not letting you do something that you find is fun or you need to do is it looked at as a bad thing. I really think the best time to sit down with your family member and talk about this is when they are depressed. I don't think they will hear you when their manic. Unless they need the hospital. Safety proof that life right now where they don't have access to 2 money, driving or any other safety issues.