Safe ways to deal with a Bipolar Family Member?

Question

I need some ways to deal with a possibly bipolar family member. They are not listening to their doctor, don't want any meds, have stopped treatment, and have destroyed their financial credit. They won't hurt anyone else, but right now, they have poor decision making. What options would the family have to address the issues if they continue. I would appreciate any good organizations, support hotlines to call to speak with professionals, and general support. Thank you.

Answer 1

My husband is bi-polar. It took a long time for me to convince him to get help. You can usually find affordable treatment at your county health department as most have a mental health department.

Some have to hit bottom to agree that they have a problem, some can be convinced before hand.

But you do need to point out that he IS hurting others. The stress and problems he is causing his family is just as bad as if he physically hit them sometimes. My husband and I talk carefully about his symptoms every day. Often a bi-polar person cannot recognize their own mood swings, even when they are blatantly obvious to everyone else. When Doug shows signs of a dramatic swing we talk about it and point out the symptoms. He does better when he recognizes what is happening to him.

It is helpful to make sure he knows he isn't "crazy". This is not a "mental psychosis", but is a problem with chemicals in the brain. Rather than giving him a steady stream of seratonin and other chemicals his body does it in sudden bursts.

Answer 2

I can tell you what doesn't help so you guys do not make the same mistake as I did. I had my daughter admitted involuntary thinking I was protecting her. My perspective was that this was the right thing to do to help her be ok. It backfires in reality. The hospitals only keep a person 36 hours so if the family decides to admit voluntary what happens is in 3 days the patient is out and totally furious at the family. Now you will not no how your family member is or be able to support them again. My daughter has abandoned us so I will pray that you and your family will not go the same route as I have. In America if the patient is not a threat to anyone or themselves nobody can make a person take meds, that is the bottom line. Just be there when he/she is ready for help and hold her tight i wish I could do that with my girl.

Answer 3

I am bipolar and learned the hard way that support is necessary for both myself and my family. It will be hard but, important to educate yourself through books and possibly a therapist yourself. You must not take responsibility for their actions and enable their behaviors. If the person is suicidal
you would need to get them help otherwise they have to be on their own, debts, bad behaviors and all! A person can only be medicated by others if ex parted' to a medical facility not of their own accord. That means by a hospital or through legal means of being arrested and hospitalized.
Below is a site to check out.
Hope it helps.

Answer 4

I am bi polar. I have regrettably put my family through so much. They eventually distanced themselves from me letting me learn lessons my way, the hard way. I know that must of been tough on them. It was tough on me. After time I had to realize that I had to help myself. That I am the only one who can change my situation, choices, ect... After hitting rock bottom, I am slowly climbing back to the top. My family loves me, but when I get out of hand or treat them wrong they simply walk away. It hurts me, I feel at times that they don't care, but then I realize that they do care, but can't save me from myself. I know it is hard to want to help someone. If your loved one becomes a threat to themselves sometime a family can have them court ordered for help. However, they won't get better until they decide they want to and they can acknowledge that they have a problem. Most cities have a mental health center, i would encourage you to call them. Read what you can on this disease and avoid the urge to "Save" your loved one when they make poor choices and get themselves in a bind. Tell them you love them but they need to find a way to figure this out. Tell them when they start helping themselves, taking their meds, seeing therapist, you would be happy to be more supportive, but as long as they are not doing this, their is nothing you can do to help. It is tough love, but it worked for me. Good luck, God bless.

Answer 5

I'm going to go out on a limb here...I'm bipolar. There's a lot of people who think they are bipolar, and then there are people that actually have been tested for it. As embarassing as it is, it turns me into a TOTAL wacko sometimes...to the point that my family thinks I'm on drugs cause I act like someone totally different.The worst thing about bp people is as soon as they start doing really good on their medications, they stop cause they feel better. I can't really say what you can do. As long as they aren't threatening themselves or others and they aren't a minor, the only thing you can do is try and talk them into seeing someone for it.

Answer 6

Allow them to hit rock-bottom...safely. Usually mentally ill people are stuborn and have to figure things out the hard way...just like alcoholics and druggies and the obese etc....