Two Trees Media — the Bipolar Experts

The most important thing to look for is how well you get on with the doctor. Some are incredibly authoritarian (more so if you don't take prescribed medicines) and that's not too good because they won't listen to you. Other criteria are up to you. You might look for high level qualifications, a doctor with a teaching post, or someone recommended by a friend. Watch out for recommendations, because what suits the person making the recommendation is not necessarily what suits you.

Generally, no. If your workplace doesn't have anything to do with mental health they will have the same attitudes to bipolar disorder as elsewhere in the community, so you can expect a negative response. If a bipolar crisis happens and you have to explain yourself then you should tell as few people as possible.

Tell them it's a brain condition (it is). That sometimes your brain goes off and makes you do certain things. Give them an example of what bipolar makes you do. Tell them even though you're taking medicine sometimes your brain will go off regardless. Ask them to keep it to themselves. Ask them to excuse your bipolar behaviour and remind them you're still the real you.

You can put up with it or not. If you don't want to put up with it and have him healthier and on medicine, tell him (when he's not being abusive) that you won't tolerate his behaviour but you'd be happy if he took his medicines. You might have to leave.

Your sister would benefit from a visit to her doctor. Because she is so incapacitated it is fine for you to ring the doctor and get either advice or an appointment.