[LiteraryLark]

I've known my friend who's bipolar for two years and she has never been on the right meds. Not only that, but every time I see her she refuses to take her meds or hasn't been taking them for a week, which makes her spin out.

She's going to see her doctor (we both have the same doctors as well) and I told her I'd be there for her and that I am willing to help her through her ups and downs since I am also bipolar. However, I am stable and take my meds correctly. She looks up to me and she's grateful for having a friend.

She has many issues including poor self esteem, self-injury, and has no family or strong support system to help her, among other things.

I am trying to work with her to bring her down from the manic/depressive states she goes into. So far I have told her to post sticky notes with positive messages on her mirror so she can look at them when she's putting on her makeup. She takes baths regularly and I told her to listen to Enya and guided imagery while taking her bath. I am thinking of looking into taking meditation or yoga classes with her or some form of relaxing activity to do with her.

Any other ideas that will help her calm down when she's stressed would be very helpful!

[Chompers]

Have you discussed with her the idea of advocating with her doctor for a change in meds if she feels her current regimen isn't working for her? or is too complicated for her life? (I know I personally don't do as well with meds that require multiple doses per day. I am very forgetful.)

What about other ideas that would help her keep track of her meds? Does she use a pill box? Does she keep her meds convenient to the time/place she takes them? Are the visible? Keeping a calendar might help so she can have an easy visual of the days she has taken her meds. How about a wrist watch with an alarm to mark when it is time for her meds, or setting a daily alarm on her cell phone.

Does she like to read? You could suggest some helpful books on Bipolar Disorder, or something more general but helpful.

I think what you're doing so far sounds really great. We should all be so lucky to have such a friend supporting us!

[Forgive77]

I think these are all great ideas, and yes...she is lucky to have you in her life!

[BuggsBunny]

How do you feel about having her join the forum? Would you be willing to share us with her? Maybe she can get some extra help, here, too. But ONLY if you are willing, because you don't want to have to censor your own thoughts and lose a safe place over it.

[moremi]

I think taking the classes together is a wonderful idea. Good for both of you. Shes very lucky to have a friend who cares so much and understands from personal experience as well. Keep up the good work. I believe the forum would be good for her to, even if its not this one.