Bipolar Disorder

[LabRat]

This is a sensitive subject, but given the mature audience I am hoping for some good discussion. One of our grad students has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and had been hospitalized at least twice in the last year and a half. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with this, as I didn't until now. I know wolf will, but what about those of you who know someone who is personally close to you? Previously I had become good friends with this student, and it seems that she isn't taking care of herself the best she could, therefor is having many episodes and frankly is untrustworthy in the lab. Other labbies are getting disgruntled because she basically has done nothing research-wise for this period, yet has been getting paid fully (and right now $$ is tight, we're paid by grant $, and there ain't much to be had). I am kind of stuck in the middle. I guess I am asking what are her chances of succeeding in life, given that she really hasn't done any improving since her first manic episode? And what can I do to help her???