Bipolar | Support for AFYP

Common questions about bipolar

I’m younger than 15, can I still have bipolar?

Bipolar can develop younger than 15, although it is most common to be picked up between 15-25. Many people who are diagnosed with bipolar say that they were experiencing extreme mood swings as a young child. It’s really important that if you are worried about your mental health at any age you speak to a doctor, or an adult.

Will I have bipolar forever?

Bipolar is a condition that you will have to manage throughout your life. This doesn’t mean that you’ll always be feeling unwell. With the right medication and support you can manage your bipolar well and live a happy life. Finding support from others who also have bipolar can be helpful so you can talk to other people who live with the condition.

Should I tell my friends that I have bipolar?

It is up to you who you tell about your bipolar. It can be helpful to tell close friends about your bipolar so they can help you to spot the signs that an episode is starting. It also helps them to understand that some of your behaviour isn’t done on purpose.

5 Tips for bipolar

1. Keep track of your mood and feelings. This can help you to notice when episodes are starting. You can also see what feeling well looks like to you compared to feeling unwell.
2. Create a routine to follow this will help you with things like remembering to take to keep taking your medication.
3. Accept support from others . You might feel like you don’t deserve help or that you don’t need it, but support from others is going to really help you to manage bipolar.
4. Look after your general health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and avoiding too much alcohol will all help you to manage your bipolar.
5. Have a crisis plan. Unfortunately because of the nature of bipolar, it’s likely that you will still experience highs and lows. Having a plan that you can share with your family and close friends on what to do if they notice things or you tell them can help everyone know what to do to get you the help you need when you need it.

Getting help for bipolar

One of the most effective ways to get help for bipolar is to get some professional help. The first step of this is going to your GP or talking to someone you know who can support you to go to the doctors.