Please suggest some important questions i can ask my doctor with regard to bipolar disorder.

Coping: Ask about coping mechanism for when you feel sad depressed that work automatically without your input.

How: How can i know if anger is part of a bipolar disorder? What about verbal &/or physical abuse?

What: What are the side effects of different medications to treat bipolar disorder?

If: If on lithium, your thyroid level should be checked, as it can cause underactive thyroid.

Triggering: Triggering factors leading to an episode? Symptoms of mania, hypomania, depression? When to call md?

What: What kinds of foods, medications, or situations may effect my mood and should be avoided?

Ask: Ask your doctor about some early warning signs of mood episodes and learn to recognize them.

Bipolar: Bipolar 1 versus 2, med options, medical or drugs which can cause it, what kind of therapy.

Tell: Tell your doctor about concerns you have with medications rather than just stopping them.

How: How long until the meds start to work? What to do in emergencies? Activities to get involved in?

Ignore: Are there foods that help stabilize this condition? Is there a specific diet?

Ignore: Important question if you start your lithium, is do you have to take it for the rest of your life?

Ignore: Ask your dr to help you create a list of your warning signs that you are becoming manic or hypomanic.

Ignore: Ask your doctor to check your thyroid, your kidneys and your liver function.