People with bipolar disorder often spend years suffering through their illness before they are properly diagnosed. They may not have any insight into their illness and unfortunately get psychiatric help in extreme cases, for example, during suicidal or destructive behavior, or when they're in financial or legal trouble.

Bipolar patients delay getting help for a variety of reasons, including misdiagnosis, lack of insight, denial, self medications, guilt, and shame. The keys to any successful treatment are early diagnosis and intervention. If treatment is delayed, the severity and duration of the bipolar episodes may increase which can have a devastating effect on a person's ability to function.

Bipolar patients usually have episodes of mania or hypomania followed by episodes of depression. Despite their mood extremes, people with bipolar disorder who are in denial don't recognize how greatly it affects their lives—and the lives of their loved ones.

People with mania or hypomania may not realize it's a problem. They may even enjoy it, finding it to be a productive time. They usually resort to drugs and alcohol in order to self-medicate. Patients also have tremendous shame and guilt of having been labeled as mentally ill.

You can help a friend or a relative who suffers from bipolar by encouraging them to seek treatment, having a trusting relationship and educating them about the disorder by letting them know the following:

• It's not your fault. You have not caused this disorder. Genetics and stressful life events put people at greater vulnerability for bipolar disorder.
• Millions of Americans have bipolar disorder. It can develop at any point in a person's life, and is responsible for enormous suffering.
• Bipolar disorder is a real disease. Just like heart disease or diabetes, it requires medical treatment.
• There's a medical explanation for bipolar disorder. Disruptions in brain chemistry are involved. The brain circuits—those that control emotion—are not working the way they should
• Good treatments are available. These treatments have been tested and found to be effective for many, many people with bipolar disorder.
• By not getting treatment, you risk having worse mood swings—and even becoming suicidal. You also risk damaging your relationships with friends and family.