I have a friend that's bi-polar, she is off her meds, and has been in a manic phase for almost 3 months now. She has alienated most of her family and friends. She is draining the rest of us emotionally. She refuses to even talk about going to the hospital or doctor. Do I cut her off too? Is there anything I can do? I want my best friend back, this isn't her.
2006-08-13 02:21:25 · 12 answers · asked by mightymite1957 7 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have a simular sitiuation only in a different form. My friend is off her meds too and talks to her self. She also sounds a bit off when you talk to her, at the time, she can have a sane conversation with you. Her son has tried to commit her three times she told me! She is divorced recently from her husbad because of this and has another son who lives with his father. She has been homeless off and on and is living with the older son and his roomates but need to find another place to live. This is the gist of her life now, always trying to find a place to live. People have taken her in but becaue she won't stay on her meds, she thinks she doesn't need them, she is soon looking for a new place to live. Anyways enough of her. This isn't really about her. I said all this to make a point.
Stay friends with her, it's difficult right now but hang in there! I am doing this for my friend. I have not taken her in because I can't handle the situation without the meds. But I do try to get her a place to live and talk with her whenever I see her and take her to lunch, you know,things like that.
Your friend needs you and I can tell that you have a compassionate heart. Do what you can for her. She still needs what available friends she can get! Good luck!
2006-08-13 02:40:40 · answer #1 · answered by December Princess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, call the county sheriff, and ask for a welfare check, and explain the reason for it. You can also do a PINA which is a Person In Need Of Assistance...it is specifically designed for people like your friend. She's ill and doesn't realize it, she could quite possibly be a danger to herself and to others. She can be mandated to be hospitalized against her will in most states for a minimium of 72 hours. That would give the authorities enough time to evaluate her and decide that she can't leave until she's back on meds and regulated on them. Hope this turns out well for you and your friend.Call the authorities asap TODAY!
2006-08-13 09:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by occasionallyrowdy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than have a person in authority - doctor, police, put her into 72 hour involuntary detention for being a danger to herself or others, I do not know. You can call the police and ask them about that (without giving names), if you are curious.
Unfortunately, otherwise, you can only be there for her - as much as you are able to be. If you have to say, "Call me when you crash. I don't want to be around you rignt now." for your own health and peace of mind, then that is what you have to do.
Please be aware that her condition may be as a result of a blood sugar imbalance known as hypoglycemia - one of the pre-diabetic conditions caused by hyperinsulinemia. If you are able to fix her meals for two weeks, you might be able to feed her foods (normal foods) that would lower her blood sugar, thus (counter-intuitive as it may sound) level her blood sugar out, possibly reducing her manic phase, without inducing a depressive phase.
For more info on this check out www.hufa.org.
2006-08-13 09:31:49 · answer #3 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a friend like that a couple years ago. she attempted suicide and had to be hospitalized but then escaped. then the cops came to my house, which is where she was staying, arrested her and took her back to the hospital.
i think the best thing is to be a friend and support her in any way you can- in healthy ways only. maybe in a moment of weakness, she will ask for help. but also know that she is her own person. she will make decisions on her own- whether or not her friends and family approve. it might be difficult.
this is only my opinion and i am assuming that your friend is older, say, 21 or older. good luck.
2006-08-13 09:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard for a person who is on the manic phase to see that there is a problem and for them to go to the doctor. I have talked to a couple of them and they see nothing the matter with the things they do. For them it is not abnormal to be up all hours, constantly horny and lose normal inhibitions.
She has to want help before you can get it for her. (Exception if she is going to be a cause of harm to herself or others. Then you can admit her for 2 days of involuntary committal.)
2006-08-13 10:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in the US, there is something called the "Baker Act" that allows you to have someone hospitalized if you can show they are a nuisance to themselves or others. Contact your local law enforcement or mental health bureau from the phone book, they can help you proceed. This would help your friend get help and fast!!
2006-08-13 09:24:40 · answer #6 · answered by dlgrl=me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds serious. she's lucky to have you as a friend. my suggestion would be try to talk with her parents and have her baker acted or do an intervention both are rough emotionally but in the end your friend will be safer and once they get her meds back under control happier!! Good luck and God Bless!!
2006-08-13 09:53:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
does her family have access to her consultant to see if they can help,,dependant on which country you are in,family members can have their family member sectioned,in the uk,she should have a cpn who they can contact who can arrange to come out and do an evaluation on her mental wellbeing and get a section 3 underway,,a section 3 means they do not need her consent and she can be held for a period of time without the ability to discharge herself,,many cases do,unfortunately depend on the police if she could be a threat to herself or others,,they could take her for her own good,,not arrest but a disturbance of the peace,,a doctor would assess the patient and if it is unwise for them to be let go,,she would be transfered to a facility for her own consultant to assess her mental health,,start with her own doctor first.
2006-08-13 09:32:00 · answer #8 · answered by lex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any way to get her to the hospital? Because from the looks of it, there's no other way except to get her there without telling her and give her help. Best of luck.
2006-08-13 09:25:26 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well your friend must go to the doctor, don`t cut her off, u can try talking to her very gently make her understand that what u are saying is for her own good.. or go to her doctor yourself and explain the situation to him, he will guide u better
good luck
take care
2006-08-13 09:26:44 · answer #10 · answered by vedz666 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋