My friend is manic - is there anything I can do to help her?

[SpeccieSeccie]

My friend has manic depression which has been kept completely under control by drugs for the last 10 years, the whole time I've known her. She and her husband desperately want a baby which would mean coming off the drugs for at least 6 months while they tried to conceive so about a year ago she came off the pills to see what it would be like. It's been a disaster. She's now in hospital for the third time in 12 months and is completely manic. She's waiting for doctors to adjust the drugs to get her back.

As a non-medical person, is there anything I can do to help her? I am going to see her in hospital later today (the first time I'll have seen her in this state) and was wondering what to take. I've been to psychiatric wards before so I know to take some food but can you think of anything else? Can manic people concentrate enough to read magazines? (Would pictures of Victoria Beckham tip her over the edge?!) And what is the right amount of time to stay? Should I talk or just listen? So far, her DH has kept her away from friends when she's like this, to help her maintain her friendships when she's well, but he can't cope on his own anymore.

Any help gratefully received. Wasn't sure whether I should have put this in Health/Other Subjects/Relationships.
Thanks

Bump

take her anything shell b glad of company more xtreat her just as you would normally

yes just go in as her friend..yes it is very difficult or nigh on impossible to read if your concentration is poor which hers will be and she will be restless quite possibly..but if she likes magazines then it would nice to take one..of course if she doesn't whe won't like it anyway!

I'd hate ok and heat at any time

it's impossible to say what she might be like but she is still the same person you know so even if she seems different you still have the same ties and intimacies as friends

as to how long to stay i would guess that for most people shorter is better but play it by ear if she is looking impatient or not really that much into your visit then shorter if she is clearly finding it a relief to talk to you then a bit longer...I tend not to like visitors much in hospital but everyone is different

hope she is feeling better soon and things go better for her all round

i would say just go in and be a a friend. company is much more appreciated than magazines in my experience. Just sit and talk to her. food is good as well as hosp food aint great.

you are a good friend for getting advice. good luck and hope she works through this.

my ncle was in hospital for a while we took him cigs he smoked lots and food and jst talked let him lead the convo's or if he ws quiet just told him all about the mundane things we had been doing

jst bare with her as some one who suffers depression anxiety i wish i had friends like you

Thanks everyone, I followed your advice and let her lead the conversation. She was also allowed out for a walk so that was good as it felt quite normal. I really appreciate all the replies.

The whole visit has just reinforced my certainty that hell, if it exists, is a psychiatric hospital built sometime around the 1960's.

I bet she'll be thrilled to see you! If she's in hosp, she'll be under meds so presumably stabilised & more or less her usual self.