A doctor's advice for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder

A health diagnosis can be scary if you don't have a lot of information. Watch Sue Varma, MD, share her advice for people newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Transcript

00:00

WOMAN: Hi Dr. Varma. I know when I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it was really scary and confusing.

00:06

And I had to figure out how to start a whole new life for myself and live the healthiest life I can.

00:14

So what hope can you give for people that have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

00:21

I totally get it. I understand that being diagnosed for the first time with any disorder that you may not have a lot of information about can be scary.

00:29

[MUSIC PLAYING] People with bipolar disorder are really going to have to be

00:37

their biggest self-care advocate. Staying well for people with bipolar disorder means knowing your triggers, and, as much as possible,

00:45

either avoiding them for planning in advance around them. That might mean knowing travel coming up ahead,

00:52

a move, a more stressful position at your job, needing more family support at home. So being your best advocate, asking for what you need,

01:00

planning in advance and saying no when necessary. [MUSIC PLAYING]

01:08

People with bipolar disorder, in my experience, who do the best are people who have excellent family support. So definitely engage the people around you--

01:16

friends and family. And being in close contact with your treatment provider, and being aware of your medications, and the side

01:22

effects, and taking your medication every day is going to be really important in maintaining stability when a person is dealing with bipolar disorder.