Your loved one depends on you for many things, if you are their primary supporter.  However, sometimes they may cross a line that shouldn't be crossed if they are to recover from their bipolar disorder.

You may inadvertently be hurting your loved one's chances of stability.  I know you wouldn't do this on purpose, but you need to know the difference between helping your loved one and enabling your loved one, because enabling can actually be a bad thing for them.

You care about your loved one and their recovery from bipolar disorder.  Feeling that way, you may allow things to take place that shouldn't.

Enabling is doing something for your loved one that they can do for themselves, and you do not want to do this, as it can jeopardize their stability.

Although your loved one might need your help with some things, other things they should be taking responsibility for themselves.

For example, it's ok to remind your loved one to take their medication, but not ok if you are the one giving them their medication every time.  They need to learn to be responsible for taking their own medication.

Some things for which your loved one should be responsible include the following:

* Their own grooming

* Going to their appointments willingly

* Being open with their doctors and therapist

* Communicating with you

* Being productive

* Not sleeping all the time

* Eating a healthy diet

* Exercising

These are just some examples.  I'm sure you can come up with more on your own.