Bipolar disorder is a relatively common mental disorder
that often has its onset during the college years. This means that
students simultaneously face both the challenge of late adolescent
development and the challenge of adapting to a major mental illness.
As a further complication, the college environment is not well suited
to the kinds of lifestyle changes that add stability to the lives of
people with bipolar disorder. Treatment involves establishing an
alliance, education about lifestyle changes, aiding adaptation to the
illness, careful medication to minimize side effects, and loosening
the affective constriction that can result from fear of relapse. Both
the health care provider and student can use the culture of learning
and self-discovery in the college setting to the treatment’s benefit.
As well, the provider can use the time-limited nature of college to
lessen ambivalence about making long-term changes.