Caregivers coping with bipolar disorder

Having a family member or friend who is dealing with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be hard on you.

Here are some ideas that may help you cope better, for yourself and your loved one.

Ask your loved one's doctor or therapist about ways you and your loved one can learn, together, about dealing with bipolar disorder. Besides reading books, you can also ask about family therapy or about joining a bipolar disorder support group
Share responsibility for helping your loved one. This approach can help prevent you from "burning out" or feeling resentful toward your loved one. Accept all the help and support you can get
Try to be patient and understanding. When recovering from an episode of bipolar disorder, let your loved one approach life at his or her own pace, and try not to expect too much or too little. Try to do things with your loved one, rather than for him or her. This will help your loved one regain self-confidence
Do not neglect your own health. This means getting health check-ups, eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising
Take time out to relax and enjoy favorite activities or hobbies. If you schedule a "date" to do something you enjoy, you may be more likely to follow through with your plans

For more resources for your loved one, you may want to check out our helpful tools.

Is Seroquel XR right for you?

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about Seroquel XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if Seroquel XR is right for you.

Important Safety Information and Indications for Seroquel XR and Seroquel

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). Seroquel XR and Seroquel are not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Patients, families, and caregivers should watch for these symptoms and report them immediately to the doctor. Seroquel XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years. Seroquel is not approved for patients under the age of 10 years.

A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with Seroquel XR, Seroquel, and medicines like them is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Seroquel XR, Seroquel, and medicines like them. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, your doctor should check your blood sugar before you start taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel and also during therapy. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening
Increases in triglycerides and in LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels before you start Seroquel XR or Seroquel and during therapy
Weight gain has been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel. Your doctor should check your weight regularly
Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD may not go away, even if you stop taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel. TD may also start after you stop taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
Other risks include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, or having trouble swallowing. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these
Increases in blood pressure have been reported with Seroquel in children and teenagers. Your doctor should check blood pressure in children and adolescents before starting Seroquel and during therapy
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have or have had low white blood cell (WBC) count, seizures, abnormal thyroid tests, high prolactin levels, heart or liver problems, or cataracts. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter
Since drowsiness has been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel. Do not drink alcohol while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Avoid breast-feeding while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
Common side effects: For Seroquel XR, the most common side effects in adults are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, disturbance in speech and language, and stuffy nose. For Seroquel, the most common side effects in adults are drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach. The most common side effect in children and adolescents are drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and weight gain

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information for both products with your health care provider.

Indications

Seroquel XR is a once-daily tablet approved in adults for (1) add-on treatment to an antidepressant for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not have an adequate response to antidepressant therapy; (2) acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; (3) acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex; (4) long-term treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium or divalproex; and (5) schizophrenia. Seroquel is approved for (1) depressive episodes in bipolar disorder in adults; (2) manic episodes in bipolar disorder in adults when used alone or with lithium or divalproex; (3) manic episodes in bipolar disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 years; (4) long-term treatment of bipolar disorder in adults with lithium or divalproex; (5) schizophrenia in adults and (6) schizophrenia in adolescents ages 13-17 years.

Click here to see the Prescribing Information for Seroquel XR, including Boxed Warnings.

Click here to see the Medication Guide for Seroquel XR.

Click here to see the Prescribing Information for Seroquel, including Boxed Warnings.

Click here to see the Medication Guide for Seroquel.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Patient photos are intended to be representative of typical patients with bipolar disorder and are not of actual patients.