This can be an overwhelming diagnosis. I am convinced that when a person is bipolar they need the "name of what IT is". It is crucial because without the word, a person who is bipolar can't explain to health care providers what they need. As a result , without the word, they are given the wrong medication, and they can find themselves dangerously suicidal and or in dangerous situations and unaware of the risks to themselves. In some ways, having the diagnosis is crucial to enabling a person to help explain to people around them, what they need.
People who are bipolar, need to be able to learn important life skills to care for themselves.Without the word or diagnosis, many people trying to "help" will do more harm than good. I believe that getting a bipolar person onto their own team for well-being is the most important step to living with this. Correct medication can do wonders to improving how a person feels day in and day out. Therapy is essential to understand the suffering and to care for oneself while feeling raw. It is also important to learn high risk signals and when to call for emergency help. Without these tools, resources, medication, imagine living with an exposed tooth nerve. It is like that. With medication, tools, support, and learning how to care themselves, life gets better.
Below is a link of Laura explaining the importance of the diagnosis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ki9dgG3P5M&feature=youtu.be