I'm not sure what I want to say in this thread. I have two friends who are bipolar. Their moods are really putting a strain on our friendship.

She gets bored very easily. She also get her feelings hurt at the drop of a hat, even over 'normal' things I do or say.
It's like walking on egg shells with her all the time. I stopped taking her phone calls. I still see her online, on yahoo and a internet game we play.

I don't think she's taking her meds anymore, because she said they made her sleepy. I can't make her take them, she's 52. She thinks Doctors are stupid.

UGH
HELP!
How can I keep my friendship with her AND stay sane and stress free?

Oh.. I don't mean to offend anyone here who is Bipolar. I think if my friend took her meds she would be much better.. but she doesn't... so I really need help.

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

First off you should try to have more patience , I know this is not always a easy thing, but for the sake of your stress level perhaps if you stay calm it will help the whole suituation. My moms first cousin suffered from the same things and you truly truly need to take your medication to function and put things in your life at a even level.I sincerely wish you work things out with your friends.Peace and stay safe in this holiday season. Catherine

I also have a friend who is bipolar - sent you a PM

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Bevogal

My brother is bipolar and when he is off his meds I can only be with him for short periods of time. Thankfully my brother realizes the importance of staying on his meds and I realize the importance of family so I deal with it the best I can.

Maybe your friend could try a different med - there are so many different ones. I would hope that one would help her feel better.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

I don't think you are being selfish.

I dated a guy for 3 1/2 years that was bipolar. He wore me out. He was either really high - happy, the world is wonderful, everything is good or really low where nothing was right with the world. He also had serious impulse control issues. I finally got tired of it and we separated.

That was a long time ago (I've been married to someone else for 19 years plus 4 years dating before that), but I remember trying to deal with him. It takes LOTS of patience. It was very difficult.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I do have patience. One of my friends I have known since I was 6 years old. She takes her meds..and adjusts when needed.
The other one, this Dr's are stupid and took herself off her meds. Frankly I am tired of putting myself last, just because she won't take her meds. Is it wrong to be selfish in that way?

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

No because you have to take care of you

__________________
Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

I have a very close and special Friend that suffers from BP. I love her to death and couldn't imagine her not being in my life. But on her days she's enuff to make you to go stir crazy !! What I do is find something we both enjoy doing. shopping, movies or just going to lunch it has NEVER failed. But your problem is different than my since this is a on line friend. Maybe try to change the subject or offer to play her fav game on line. Talk about cooking your dinner and what you are having for dessert. If all fails then maybe just give yourself time away from her. I really don't know the answers to your problem since you can't do anything in real life to help her over her down moods.
Hang in there I personally know how hard it is . Me and my friend has been Friends for 5 years and it took me a while to figure out what needed to be done to help her.

Nope it is not hon, I had a friend I hosted for his site on pogo, he too suffered from BP Terribly and was really mean and hateful to us all on his bad days. I talked and talked to him about changing or even staying on his meds. This went on for the 2 years I was his host and nothing changed. He would even go so far as to call me sometimes at 2 AM knowing that I didn't allow calls after 8 Pm. Finally I just told him he was too much stress in my life and till he did something to help himself I couldn't be his yelling bag any longer. That has been 3 years now and I don't talk to him nor does he talk to me. However, Some of the old host has told me he has not changed 1 bit over the years, he still takes his meds when HE wants too and his moods are still as bad as they were years ago when we all hosted together. So no I can't blame you 1 bit. In my case 1 friend is here in real life and the other case is just a on line friend that I tried to be friendly with and help host his site for tourneys. In his case he wasn't as important to me to keep putting up with his abuse. In the other case she was and still is.

In order for you to maintain a healthy positve relationship with your friend you must first take care of yourself, this way you will have more focused energy to help maintain a good friendly positive relationship. Peace. Catherine