He is a very nice person, but has been off of his meds. He's bi-polar and potentially extremely dangerous. I've noticed that his attitude has been swinging more toward the depressive side lately. In fact, it is starting to show up in his questions on here. What do you do when you know someone is about to snap, when you not only know that he is too strong and dangerous to stop, but that the stress could kill him?
2007-11-20 17:11:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Bipolar is rough. My father has is and my fiance also has it.
My advice is simple, let this person know that you care and gently but firmly tell them that they should resume taking their medication. Explain that you feel they are having a rough time and that their medication may make it easier for them to work through this.
I'd also like to urge everyone to look past the stereotypes of bipolar. People with bipolar are not lunatics that need to be institutionalised the moment they stop taking medication. Bipolar meds have some pretty crappy side effects and the individual taking them may frequently feel they are better off suffering the effects of bipolar than that of the medication. They need support and encouragement to persevere with their treatment.
While some people with bipolar do randomly go of their meds for no valid reason, many do not.
And I do wish people would think a little more carefully before they jump to the conclusion that someone ought to be strapped down to a hospital bed or locked up for going off their medication.
I think you've done the right thing in posting this. It's a gentle but persistent reminder to this person that you care and want to help them without being threatening about it. Continue letting this person know that you care. Educate yourself about bipolar and the treatments available as well as their effects so you have some back ground knowledge when talking to him.
Simply be a friend. That person is an adult, with the right to make his own decisions whether they be right or wrong. All you can do is be there and as Gaz said, pick up the pieces if they fall apart.
Best of luck.
2007-11-20 18:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by . 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Bi-polars are famous for going off their meds. The sad thing is that when they continue to go off their meds they never get back to where they should be mentally, each time they stop meds the bi-polarism gets worse . The only thing you can do is call his doctor and he can take the appropriate steps and have him put into the hospital on a 51/50 hold for a mandatory 72 hours
2007-11-21 01:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Uh-oh. Bummer. Try to be supportive of him. If you're really an atheist in a foxhole (that is, in the military), see if there's anyone he likes to talk to. Maybe he's got a chaplain friend or something. If he's spiritual, try to get him to reconnect with that. Does he do anything artistic? Try to get him to reconnect with that. It's awesome that he's got someone like you looking out for him.
Short answer to your question: You stay far enough away that you don't get blown up with him, but be the first to run in there and scoop up the pieces.
If your friendship is really strong, you can bring it up. Don't be confrontational... only you know how direct you can be. Ask him how he feels. If he asks you why, tell him that you've been a little worried because of (insert example here).
Good luck. :-)
2007-11-21 01:23:00 · answer #3 · answered by Julia S 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I have personal experience with a bi-polar wife. For me, usually when I start asking this type of question she has already changed mental states and is in trouble. Meds and sleep are the only thing that keeps my wife semi sane
2007-11-21 01:18:27 · answer #4 · answered by Old guy 5 · 11⤊ 0⤋
Your only answer is to get him back on his meds any way you can. Without them he will be unreasonable.
2007-11-21 01:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by Molly 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Tell him to go to a shrink.
2007-11-21 01:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by Youth of Noble Birthright 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a serious question and I hope you are not goofying around.
2007-11-21 01:15:39 · answer #7 · answered by TTC 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You catch him when he falls.
2007-11-21 01:15:13 · answer #8 · answered by Icy Gazpacho 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Give me his name. I'll cheer him up.
2007-11-21 01:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋