Bipolar illness has been diagnosed in children under age 12, although it is not common in this age bracket. Getting Help Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatric social workers, can assist in providing the patient and his or her family with additional approaches to treatment. Often people with bipolar disorder do not recognize how impaired they are or blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness. People with bipolar disorder need strong encouragement from family and friends to seek treatment.
Family physicians can play an important role for such referral.
If this does not work, loved ones must take the patient for proper mental health evaluation and treatment. If the person is in the midst of a severe episode, he or she may have to be committed to a hospital for his or her own protection and for much needed treatment. With appropriate help and treatment, it is possible to overcome suicidal tendencies. It is important for patients to understand that bipolar disorder will not go away, and that continued compliance with treatment is needed to keep the disease under control. Ongoing encouragement and support are needed after the person obtains treatment, because it may take a while to discover what therapeutic regimen is best for that particular patient.