Can I Help My Manic Friend?

Question:

My friend just quit his job and is spending all his money. He stopped taking his medication. He has a plan to start a new international business but he doesn’t know the first thing about it. He isn’t worried about anything though. I’m sure that he is having a manic episode. Does a manic person believe that they are making good decisions and functioning well when they are manic? My friend is destroying his life and no one can talk him out of it.  Is there anything that I can do or say to get through to him?

Your friend probably won’t be able to listen to you while he is manic. He’s feeling really good right now and doesn’t want those feelings to stop. He’s most likely convinced that he’s on the right path, is perfectly well, and is behaving and thinking correctly .

Feeling pretty cool and together is one of hallmark features of early mania for many people. In a manic state you feel so sharp and acute. You’re sure that you know everything and you are convinced that you can do anything. You have creative and grandiose ideas like starting a new business and/or maybe saving the world. Mania, especially euphoric mania is very addictive. It’s hard to give up once your enmeshed in it. Don’t bother arguing with your friend. I guarantee that he’ll have 10 counter agruments for every point you make.

Until he’s ready to help himself  there’s not much you can do.  Some people have to hit bottom pretty hard before they take their Bipolar Disorder seriously. It sounds like he will continue on his manic journey until it winds down on its own, or until he gets the help that he needs to stop the episode.  Good luck to you and your friend.