My brother (age 44) has had a miserable marriage for years and is now in the middle of a divorce. He and his young son moved in with my mom. Every time I call there, he's "sick and asleep". He sleeps and sleeps and sleeps in a dark bedroom, stumbles to the kitchen to eat whatever he can grab, then falls back into his bed for hours and hours. He holds down a job with crazy hours, so he uses his job as his excuse to be sleeping ALL THE TIME. It's like he crawls out of bed, goes to work, and crawls back to bed.
If anyone tries to talk to him, he gets basically hysterical- he'll literally cry out of control, yell, and run to his room "sick" again, saying to leave him alone, because talking to him is "adding more stress" and he can't take it.
He refuses to see a doctor, yet says he's been "throwing up" for days. He refuses to seek counseling (he doesn't need it he says) and refuses to even come out of his room to be a parent to his child.
How can the family intervene?
2007-03-28 06:31:26 · 8 answers · asked by Sabine É 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I'm serious- if you try to talk to him, he literally goes HYSTERICAL and cries and it's really weird.
2007-03-28 06:32:16 · update #1
I don't see a way for you to do anything for him unless he wants it. That has always been the key for getting help. The patient has to want it first. He has to want the help; he has to get up and go get the help. You can try to talk to him calmly. Do not criticize him or tell him what he is doing wrong. Let him know you are concerned about him. Also, let him know you understand how he must be feeling right now and that you are there for him. Try to comfort him if he will accept it. Continue to let him know you are his support system and will do, with him, whatever needs to be done to help him feel better.
If he is ever a danger to himself or others, then you call 911 and have the law intervene but that is a measure that should only be used when lives are in immediate danger. It sounds like he's not violent so you may just have to wait this out and continue to be supportive.
Remember, do not talk to him in any way except one of which is a helpful nature.
2007-03-28 06:41:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many symptoms that sound very familiar. Have you try to have somebody else come to him, a close friend, his son, or a minister? call his work and talk to his supervisor and ask them for help in talking to him and try to attend a support group. Get all the information together so when he is willing to go, you have it ready. Let me know if it helps. Good luck!
2007-03-28 06:48:39 · answer #2 · answered by alma c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call Your Local Crisis Line! This person is heading for a mental breakdown. Please do not ask him questions right now he maybe confused and really does not know what to say to anyone. This Person Has A Very Heavy Load On Them!
2007-03-28 06:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so few people who are honest and care. You are doing well to be supportive. He may go psychotic but I think he will pull through. Don't talk too much just be there and he can survive. I did.
2007-03-28 08:16:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe prayer is the only thing that can help him. Obviously no one else can, so pray and seek God. I think he needs to see and feel that people love him, and are not just trying to help him.
2007-03-28 06:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by MELLO26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he probably needs to cry.
You could try listening instead of talking, or doing something fun that doesn't need talking.
The first step of the intervention is not to deal with the issues, but simply to get yourself in his good books. After that generally the issues start to come out by themselves.
2007-03-28 06:41:30 · answer #6 · answered by Eyebright 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read these for good information on helping him help himself. He sounds terribly depressed. Just educate yourself and stay caring and calm when he acts out!
http://www.familyaware.org/
http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/help/friends_and_family.html
2007-03-28 06:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ G ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go see a psychologist for yourself, and ask them what to do because you are clueless.
2007-03-28 06:35:39 · answer #8 · answered by Amanda D 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋