My son-in-law is bipolar, he refuse to take any kind of med,can my daughter and children be in danger? Help !?

Question

He was born with this illness, my daughter just found out about a year ago, they have two children! He verbally abuses her in front of the children. His moods have been getting worst and last longer, he has walked out on sessions with the psychologist Is there anything that could be done to help him or is it hopeless without the medication. I fear for my daughter and the children. When his mood is ok, he is soooooo nice. Can anyone help me so I can help my daughter Can her and the children's life be in danger
Babs

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is a very common and misunderstood mental illness. It needs to be treated with both medication and counseling. Counseling is needed for all those who are his friends and family. The first and biggest problem is to admit as a family and also as the person that they have a mental illness. It is NO BODY'S fault. They aren't lazy, stupid or bad. they can't just GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND STRAITEN UP. yelling at them , punishing them or embarrassing them only makes it worse

Answer 2

The verbal abuse is the worst. They lose it and later on regret sets in and the guilt just makes them feel worse....setting off another mood cycle. My grandmother was bi-polar and the only thing that helped her was lithium(mood stabilizer). So many times people with this illness blame others for their moods and refuse medication. Mood stabilizers are essential for them to get better. If they become depressed some docs prescribe anti-depressants which sometimes can make them manic. The old word for bipolar was manic-depressive. If he truly is bipolar then the moods are a chemical imbalance not something he can control on his own. If he's not a physically violent person to begin with then he's not likely to do them physical harm, but the verbal meltdowns can be just as debilitating for your daughter, and the kids should not have to witness him belittling her. It's psychologically harmful for them all. You don't say how old your son-in-law is but sometimes maturity helps them realize they need help. However he must be made to realize that he could lose his family if he doesn't follow through with the help. I'm sure your daughter loves him but she can't allow herself or her children to be abused. If he's making some effort, which it sounds like he is by going to a psychologist, than there's hope. maybe the doctor can convince him to try the medications. But if the meltdowns escalate, they should leave at least temporarily which is where you could help by providing refuge for a few days. You can also research this illness because that's what it is, an illness, not a simple bad temper or bad mood, and armed with knowledge try to convince your son-in-law of what he needs and that you care about him and want to see him get better.

Answer 3

i was diagnosed bipolar and put on all kinds of medication the medicine made me scizophranic and sleep all the time i used to hurt myself but noone else there is 2 yrs i dont remember due to the meds i was also hospitalized for a week a few months after i stopped my meds cause they made me feel like i was going crazy and it took me a year to be ok without needing any meds at all now i still have mood swings and am very emotional every emotion i feel is very strong i dont always make smart disicions but i never hurt anyone i have 5 teens and my husband stayed by me threw all of it counseling does help if he dont want meds

Answer 4

Bipolar people do have mood swings from anger to total happiness. But if your daughter is concerned about her safety and that of her children, she needs to take action which could include telling him to either take the medication as presecribed or move out. She, not you, should call the local mental health society/center and find one of their support groups for families of people with bipolar disorder.

Answer 5

This really is a pathetic state that your in currently, and I am very sorry for you. Express the your son-in-law (when he is in a good mood) how you feel about it. Explain that you are nervous for him, his wife, and his kids. You could even think about taking your grandchildren on a trip. Give them some time off, and give your daughter time to work things out with her husband.

Again I am very sorry, and I hope all goes well!

Answer 6

yea they can be in danger if he is not taking any meds because my friend has a bipolar sister and she changes mood all the time. Especially when her sister grabbed a knife one day and almost stabbed both of them! but they got out of the house quickly and the medics had o take her siser away for a week because of her bipolarness. i would take caution.

Answer 7

Yes they maybe in danger , the best thing she can do is to have admitted for observation where they can get him on the right medication. the key is to stick with it. every medication is different they may have to try several types until they fine the right one for him I wish you all well.

Answer 8

Yes. Bipolar can be sometimes be confussed with schizophrenia, because the behaviour is very much the same

Answer 9

i would say YES
your son may lash out and hurt someone!!
one of his kids and u would always feel guilty cuz u didnt do anything

or.....

ur son in law is already hurting his kids by verbally abusing his wife

have him admitted! just for observation

Answer 10

the most important factor in deturmining his chances at getting better is his WILLINGNESS to get better. he must be willing to change, to recieve treatment, to cooperate. an affective disorder does not make it alright for him to mistreat his family, because THEY are still suffering. talk to your daughter. if he is not 100% wiling to get help, stick with it; if he isn't committed to getting better, if he doesn't care enough about the people he is hurting, then he isn't your responsibility, or her responsibility. there is no excuse for abuse, because the abused person suffers regardless.