In our society today, mental health is very important. Mental health is generally what an individual encounters on a daily basis and how they behave towards relationships between themselves and others or between their relationships with themselves. With the horrific events happening in America today, caring for the mentally ill is critical. Mental health disorders do not single out certain people and do not discriminate based on age, race, sexuality, etc. Many things can trigger these mental breakdowns or episodes and they can be anywhere from mild to severe. Of the many mental health disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are among the most prevalent. This article will compare the definition, etiology, signs, symptoms, and nursing care between schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disruption in the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral areas of functioning . These breakdowns usually lead the person to have inappropriate actions and feelings, faulty perceptions and delusions, a separation between reality and fantasy, and even a sense of psychological destruction. Likewise, bipolar disorders are a group of mood disorders ranging from extreme mood swings, manic episodes to depressive episodes, or even mixed episodes that can affect daily life. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by being a mental disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, activity levels, and energy. The manic portion of bipolar I disorder is characterized by an abnormal, persistently elevated mood that lasts at least a week. This manic episode is accompanied by at least three additional symptoms, such as a decreased need for sleep, a flight of ideas, easy distraction, and a marked increase in s...... middle of paper ...... need for education, social interventions and support for patients and their families, all provided by the nurse. Nurses have adopted therapeutic communication from past experiences and school, where there is a non-judgmental approach and will make the patient comfortable in communicating. Therapeutic communication techniques such as recognition techniques, self-giving and presentation of reality are often presented. Ongoing support is the main goal in treating both diagnoses. Mental health will always be a part of nursing and will continue to be known about. In the world we live in today, many accidents and terrible events occur due to mental illness and this has made the world more aware and ready to take on the task of managing their own care. Mental health disorders can affect any type of person and are based on a variety of signs and symptoms.