Does anyone know what are the signs of bipolarism or what can be done to commit someone to a mental facility?

Question

My father is 63 and appears to be losing some of his wits upstairs. He has mood swings and my father was never a moody person. In addition, his behavior and rationale have gotten very erratic. E.g.: The police put out a bullentin of two men for sexual assault last month. My mother and I have recently discovered that my father has been getting up in the middle of the night and "patrolling" the streets looking for these two individuals. Keep in mind my father is not in the best of health (he has a heart problem, diabetic, is majorly overweight and has a problem with his knee going out here and there). The man that raised me is slowly diminishing and I really don't like the person that is appearing before me. I'm too embarassed to go out in . I've mentioned it to his doctor, but the doctor has not done anything or given any advisement as what to do. Does anyone have suggestions or is there anyone who has or is experiencing this currently with a parent? Serious answers needed.

Answer 1

it sounds like you need to take your father to another doctor. there is nothing wrong with switching doctors. most people when chronically ill seek a second opinion. your father has diabetes and that along with bipolar (if bipolar is the problem), can cause severe hormonal imbalances. your hormones are some of the most powerful and influential substances in your body and if they are severely out of whack the affects can be horrendous. if this is the case then i am sure your father is feeling like he's on the "titanic" and sinking fast. a good internist or endocrinologist would perform a full battery of tests. also, maybe some psychiatric help would be good too. your father might not be saying it but maybe he is just as scared inside as you are. men your fathers' age don't seem to show emotion as much, it seems as if they are from a different generation that hid more of their feelings and fears inside. i know my father does, i've never even seen him cry. another exam by a "second opinion" might help all of your family to "get off the titanic and in to a lifeboat". good luck to you and your dad.

Answer 2

Well, you could ask the doctor about alzheimers and senile dementia, but it would be extremely odd for him to just now (at his age) be showing sign of being bi-polar. Most likely it's something else.
Comitting him wouldn't be very effective, as you have to take him to court and prove he's a danger to himself and others. Then they only hold someone for a couple of days to judge their mental health. It would cause a huge rift in your family.
Remember that your father is an adult and free to choose how he lives his life. If he has a mental disorder, you can suggest to his doctor that he be looked at, but your father will make the final decision as to his treatment.
Your best bet is to talk to your father about how his behavior is worrying you and see what he says. Maybe he's just unhappy about aging and fighting back by "protecting" your street.
Maybe he has alzheimers.
Maybe neither.
Just talk to him before you do anything rash.

Answer 3

I'd suggest a neuropsychiatrist or neuroologist. At his age dementia or Alzheimers could be the culprit. Or brain lesions.

Is his Diabestes kept under control? Shifts in blood sugar levels can cause his problems.

My elderly uncle has dementia & is a lot like your dad, btw. Bipolar usually manifests at a much younger age than 63. Best of luck.

Answer 4

This happened to my father shortly after he found out that he was very ill. He has three major illnesses and is on a lot of medication. When he was first diagnosed it was such a blow to him that he literally freaked out. Its hard enough to handle finding out that you have one really big thing wrong with you let alone three. My sister took him to a local phyciatric hospital and after talking to her and him they decided to admit him for a few days. His doctor's had him on a lot of medications and one of the first things the doctors at the hospital did was bring in some specialists and got his meds decreased. This seemed to help alot. His meds have been closely monitored ever since to make sure that he's not taking unneeded one's and he has been doing good ever since. It's now almost 10 years later and he is now 75 years old and he is doing well. He is starting to regress a little and he forgets a lot. Sometimes he says the same things over and over again. Sometimes he talks about stuff that doesn't make any sense. His doctors have checked him out and all it basicly boils down to is his age. It's pretty normal for someone of his age and with his illnesses to behave in this way. We are just thankful for the time we have left with him and just try to keep him as happy and safe as possible. It is a hard thing to deal with, this man who you always knew as so strong and invincible, and then have to watch what age does to him. I feel for you and hope that you can find something that helps your father.

Answer 5

I would call some of the mental health treatment facilities in your area and see what they recommend you do.

Answer 6

my friend is bipolar so i understand your concern. the sigsn are : mood swings-one minute happy , then the next depressed then the next laughing. also, having anxiety attacks, or hallucinating or being paranoid.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimers

check this out. at that age it could be this but always contact a qualified doctor.