Sister who has been diagnosed bipolar

[Lynn Marie]

My sister is 50 years old. She is married 20 years. Has a son who is a senior and none of us know what to do.
She has been going to a semi retired psychiatrist 13 months.
He cannot regulate her meds.
She is almost out of control.
We really need advice.

[Dawn10]

It is hard to be in this type of a situation. Since she is married, what does her husband say? Can you convince him to have her see another psychiatrist?
If she is out of control, do you feel she is a danger to herself? If so, you might be able to Baker Act her. That would hospitalize her for up to 72 hours --unfortunately against her will. But, it will place her in an enviroment that is safe and she can have access to qualified medical/pysch help.
I have a good friend who has been diagnose with bi-polar disorder about 3 months ago. She has been hospitalized twice. It takes time to regulate the meds.
Call your local mental health agency--usually found in the front of your local phone book. They may be able to direct you and offer you the support you need as well. It can be overwhleming. My friend's husband was so overwhelmed for a time he chose to ignore the problems until she had a major break and the police became involved. He is now better aware of what she is dealing with and can deal with it himself.
Hang in there. I will say a prayer for you all.

[shutterbug]

It is weird that your sister is just now being diagnosed as bipolar....has she ever had struggles with alcohol abuse or drug abuse?

I am bipolar. feel free to contact me for my e-mail address , or private message me, if you ever have any questions. I've done (and continue to do) a lot of research on the disease.

The most informative book I've read thus far on bipolar is "A Brilliant Maddness" by Pattie Duke. It really helps explain many aspects of the illness.

[Chy]

Lynn here it is.

[Joe90]

Lynn.. I was diagnosed as bipolar last November while I was in a alcohol addiction treatment center. I was prescribed a drug called Depakote which I take twice daily. My symtoms were that My mood would change almost daily from very low to quite high and "hyper" when would feel great and have a great day but would get so "naturally?" high that it became uncomfortable and I would "self medicate" with alcohol to bring Myself down. This didn't mean that I was not an alcoholic though ...it's hard to say which disease came first, but they definetly went well together with each exacerbating the others symtoms. I am convinced that My drinking made My bipolar condition much worse with higher highs and very very bad lows. The alcoholism was made much worse by the bipolar because I was still able to get a powerful euphoria from drinking at a point where most normal alcoholics had long since given up on getting any good result. This meant I drank until My liver was almost shot!! I'm not sure if your sister drinks any alcohol but i do know that bipolar and alcohol definetly do not mix. Also bipolar can get worse over time and again especially if the sufferer drinks.

Hope this is useful
Good Luck
Joe

[MootPoint]

Hi Lynn and welcome!

I have only one question to add to the above. Are you sure she's taking her meds as prescribed? Many bipolar ppl don't take their meds as prescribed because their manias make them feel well or better than well.

[shutterbug]

Don....I'm bipolar also and have done a lot of research on the illness. I've read that 80 percent of bipolars struggle with drug and/or alcohol abuse. It does become a self-medication technique. (albiet, not a very good one in my book).

[Lynn Marie]

All my brother in law keeps saying is I don't know. We both constantly say it. I have tried to talk her into going to a new psychiatrist but she refuses and gets defensive. My brother in law went to a few sessions with her. When he questioned the Dr. about something he had to go to his car and get a book to explain. That does not sound right to me. I don't think she is suicidal. But she does hurt herself with not eating. She is so thin and maybe anorexic(sp). I don't know what post quick or advanced are so I'll post quick and see what happens

[Lynn Marie]

When you hit quick reply does it go to one person or the whole support people (for lack of a better word) Lynn

[Chy]

When you type a message it stays in the list of topics of the forum. So anyone who comes to this forum will read your post. When people click on this topic they see the messages in this thread (topic).

[Chy]

Here is a list of FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) about navigating the forums.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/..._read_and_post

[Lynn Marie]

I can really use advice on my sister. She is "bipolar" and I don't know how to handle her. When I talk to her if I can get a word in she is just racing. She makes me very nervous. I don't even want to pick up the phone when I see it is her sometimes. I think the psychiatrist she is going to is really bad but she won't change. Any advice?

[Lynn Marie]

Have you seen the situations I posted today? I feel I'm lost in cyber space. I do see the responses I got from the first time I posted but not the others. Any advice is appreciated

[Dawn10]

Lynn Marie,
It is awful to see someone you love and care for in a situation you have no control over. And that is something you need to realize. You aren't in a position to make her change doctor's or get the help she needs. Since she has a husband it is in his realm to do something.
Unless you truly think she is a harm to herself or others, you might need to detach yourself for awhile and take care of you.
Keep praying for her and I will too.