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If you have bipolar disorder, see your doctor regularly. Your illness can cause a lot of changes in your feelings. Your doctor needs to know how you’re doing. He or she may also need to change the type or dose of your medicines from time to time.
However, regular appointments aren’t always enough. Sometimes you need to get medical help right away.
Dealing with thoughts of suicide
Suicide is a serious risk for people with bipolar disorder. Nearly one in five patients with bipolar disorder commit suicide. If you feel that you may be in danger of hurting yourself, you need help right away.
If you are thinking about suicide:
- Call 911 and get help right away before you act on these thoughts.
- Talk with your doctor or counselor. Create a safety plan.
- Call friends or family members, and ask them for support.
- Have people you care about stay with you. Don’t stay alone.
- Call the National Hopeline Network at 1 (800) SUICIDE, 1 (800) 784-2433. Or, check your phone book for a local crisis hotline if you need someone to talk to.
Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of the illness, like chest pain is for a person with heart trouble. They usually can be helped with treatment.
Side effects
Medicines that are used to treat bipolar disorder can cause a variety of side effects. These can include:
- Stomach pain
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Rash
- Sexual problems
- Sedation
- Shakiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Upset stomach
- Weight gain or loss
Medicines to treat major depression can sometimes help depression in people with bipolar disorder. But they can sometimes cause a manic or hypomanic episode.
Don’t ignore side effects. If you don’t like how you feel when you use your medicines, talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to change your dose or switch to another medicine. There may be another medicine that you will tolerate better. Don’t stop taking your medicine and don’t change your dose without talking with your doctor.
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