I don't know if this belongs here or not. If it's in the wrong place, I'm sorry (and can a mod please move it to the right area?).
My girlfriend is bi-polar. Not sure yet to what extent (it's a long-distance relationship, and I haven't talked to her about her bipolar in any depth).
Does anybody have any advice for a significant other of a bi-polar survivor? Anything I need to know about? Like what to say and what not to say?
Any help is appreciated and, well, helpful.

Maybe try the Friends and Family forum. I have to think this is something that someone there would have experience with since Bipolar disorder seems so common anymore.

My wife has been bipolar for as long as I've known her. It's something that has affected a lot of aspects of our marriage, but not in any way that couldn't be overcome. It became a lot easier to understand after I started reading about how the disorder works. Just know that not all cases of bipolar are alike. Some people have more of a tendency towards mania & hypomania, but their depressions are mild, and some can have major depression but only experience hypomania. It's predominantly a chemical imbalance so it's important for her to be working with a psychiatrist to get on the right meds. My wife responds very well to Tegretol, but we switched to Lamictal when she got pregnant and she & the baby are doing really well.

That's my understanding also. They must get their meds adjusted right by a good med-psychiatrist. And then they must stay on the meds. Bi-polars have a tendency to get off of their meds when they are feeling good. They don't think they need them anymore. And then they either misbehave or crash, neither of which is a desirable result.

Allen

pufferfish

Bipolar isn't a noun, pufferfish.

Thanks guys for the responses. My apologies for the delayed response. honestly forgot I had posted this.