• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Diagnosis & Treatment
• Getting the Right Diagnosis
• Getting the Right Treatment
• Getting the Help You Need
• Talking With Healthcare Professionals
• Questions to Ask

Working With a Team of Healthcare Professionals

Many people with bipolar disorder rely on more than one healthcare professional. There may be a number of healthcare professionals who work with you to help you reach goals, solve problems and manage your condition. In addition to your doctor, other healthcare professionals can include social workers, psychologists, counselors, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

The people involved in your treatment are trained in specialized areas. They have different kinds of education, knowledge and experience, and they each use their skills to help you develop and reach your goals.

Here are some examples of goals that you might agree to work toward:

• Getting symptoms under control
• Learning about your illness and how to manage it
• Improving your overall physical health
• Returning to school
• Developing job skills and getting a job
• Improving social skills
• Managing any side effects from your medicine
• Stopping drinking alcohol or using street drugs

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have additional questions or concerns about this topic, talk to your doctor.