How to help someone with manic depression, who doesn't necessarily want to be treated?

Bipolar: Support, guidance, educate, reassure, role-model. Finally, acceptance of what you cannot change.

Agree w Dr. Ali.: It is hard to help someone who is unwilling to accept help. Call 911 if the person becomes a risk to self or others. Work to maintain support while simultaneously keeping healthy boundaries.

They have to want it: Your friend has to want therapy and medication, and all you can really do is encourage him/her to seek both and engage deeply and meaningfully in the therapeutic process. You simply cannot do it for him/her, much as you'd like to. You can either be his/her friend or therapist. You cannot be both, and even though you want to see him/her get better, trying to be both simply will not work.

MANIC DEPRESSION: If someone is in a full-blown manic or depressed state it is advisable to bring that person to an emergency room to have a consultation with a Psychiatrist. A person in that mental state is not capable of making a logical decision in their best interest and needs to be cared for. After the correct medication is prescribed then psychotherapy can begin with a Clinical Psychologist.