Ex-enabler

I'm concerned by the lack of posts here, so I have a bit of advice for any Bi-polar lurkers hiding out there...
Don't be embarassed by the diagnosis.
And let your friends/relatives know if they don't allready.

I was diagnosed as a bi-polar/Dyslexic at age 7, and I have a neice and an Addict/Friend who were each diagnosed several years ago, so I do know that it is sometimes embarrasing to be diagnosed with what is a serious condition.

If your friends know about the condition, then they can offer a lot of help.
Since we generally do not notice when we are beginning to cycle from one state to another, it helps to have people around to provide "Steering" influences.
My friends can now catch when I am beginning a drastic swing, and will help by giving me other things to think about as a distraction.

My Addict/Friend spent years trying to hide, saying "they don't need to know I'm nuts", and the stress probably helped drive him further into addiction.
(Besides, the dignosis does NOT mean that we are nuts, just different.)

I know that not everyone can do this, but if you have supportive friends, then it does occationally help.