How best to deal with a bipolar relative?

Question

My Aunt has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for 15 years. She's always acted a little erratically but recently her behavior has spun out of control. Both her internal medicine doctor and I have discussed this in detail and believe either her meds are wrong or she's not taking them. The problem is she refuses to see a psychiatrist and get her meds checked because she feels she's fine. She calls and harrasses people up to 20 times a day (no exaggeration) at all times of the night. My father passed away last year and there's really no one but me who can help. I am at a loss of how to get her to see the psychiatrist. Anyone been in the same position or can offer some advice?

Thanks all your answers have been helpful. I have tried to work with the State Health Department and they say they cannot force someone to seek help. They have to be an eminent threat to themselves or others.

Answer 1

Being bipolar myself, I can empathize your concern.

From your description it sounds like she's manic.

If her meds aren't working and she needs to see a psych, she should check into a hospital.

They will try different meds and watch what they do.

Her stay would probably be no longer than 5 to 7 days.

That's what I have done in the past.

Using alcohol or street drugs to deaden the pain of depression or to try to come down from the mania doesn't work.

In fact, it brings on a whole new set of problems.

Personal experience.

Just be there and listen and don't judge.

Answer 2

I feel your pain. I too have an Aunt who is bipolar schitzophrenic. She has been this way for 20 or more years. She won't see a doctor. She thinks she is fine and the we all are the ones that are crazy. She tells these crazy stories that we know aren't true. She thinks we are out to get her or kill her. She self medicates w/what ever pill she can find. She never leaves her house and won't answer her phone. She stares into space and has loud outburst of anger. She is basically crazy I hate to say it. All I can tell you, is that I think you can go to the Mental Health Dept for help. You may hate to do this but you could force her to be commited. We haven't done this either, but it really needs to be done before she hurts someone or herself. Just be patient w/her and try not to set her off. Watch what you say around her. Don't accuse her of lying, that only makes things worse. Pray for her. Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 3

Not in same position, trying to offer advice.
If she needs her meds checked, or she is struggling to deal with the loss of your father (dont know how close they were if at all) then .. she needs her meds checked. Maybe she isnt aware of what she is doing, this behaviour of calling and harrassing people.. or what else she is doing, you might need to prove it to her? Hopefully it's just the meds, and if thats fixed then she'll be alot happier and more aware of things.. rather than.. simply cxant remember.. or in some kind of denial that that would be silly of her.....
Well you could always trick her into seeing a pyschiatrist, she may hate you for it... but maybe she'd see how much you care.
Up to you how you'd convince her.. blind fold... dont peak.. its a surprise.. thats just mean.... i dont know. hard to be trying to do it on your own..... maybe the doctor can just do a check on the meds she is on to make sure she still needs them? and then maybe she.. will .... let something out to work with, whether she thinks she doesnt need them and isnt taking them.. or she wants to prove that she does... so that the right ones can be given...
Not sure how old she is, but as people get older and things slow down we tend to go backwards.. we end up being the bbay we started out as. Sometimes it works.. :) treating old people like children when they disagree, but i'm not sure how old your aunt is... i think you would know her better than anyone... or hope... so that you could think why she wont go and finding the perfect ultimatum.
Good luck

Answer 4

Coming from someone with Bipolar there isnt much you can do.Honeslty treatment wont work unless she wants it to.You cant force someone into treatment unless she is talking about harming herself or someone else.Only thing you can do is to offer the treatment and to explain in a non threating gentle way about how her illness is affecting you.It took me over 10 years to get myself help.I know know this may sound strange but try making out a log of her behavior.Maybe just seeing what she is doing will make her take a look at herself.Bipolar.com has lots of great info.It sounds like that you need a break, or some way to de stress.

Answer 5

It's like having an illness such as diabetes or heart disease. People with bipolar disorder must manage their condition carefully.

The day-to-day job of managing bipolar disorder belongs to you. But that does not mean you are alone. You will work closely with your healthcare provider and other healthcare experts. Consider asking for help and support from your trusted family and friends.

Support groups for bipolar disorder may offer valuable first-hand information from others who live with the disorder. You may also find support both in your local community on the Internet.

Having someone in your life who has bipolar disorder can be hard. Helping to care for the person takes time, patience, and understanding.

Although at times you may feel like you are responsible for making someone well, you're not. Your support is just one part of this person's treatment.

In order to be effective, treatment for bipolar disorder includes several things. They are a healthcare provider's care, counseling, education for the individual and family, and, in most cases, medication.

To help, it's important that you learn all you can about bipolar disorder. Your knowledge of the illness and how it is treated gives your loved one a unique, personal, and loving source of support in managing bipolar disorder.

Answer 6

the only way to get her the help she needs is if you admit her into the hospital at first she will probably call you every name in the book but when she get out she will thank you and get the help that she truly needs....just keep in mind you would be doing this to help her not hurt her G00D LUCK:}

Answer 7

Have her committed.
I'm sorry, but I don't know what else you can do with someone that refuses to help themselves.