This article made an excellent point, "Mood-stabilizing medication can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, patients often need help and support to take medicine properly " Unless the bipolar patient has someone who will make him or her take the medicine, who is willing to take on that life-long responsibility, they are prone to relapse.

This article is pretty brief and is just a snapshot of bipolar disorder. Probably a good read for someone who needs to know some basic facts, but not for someone who is personally affected by the disorder.