Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I have been missing my parents a lot lately. They died years ago, but it has been hitting me hard. The real problem is I haven't seen or heard from my schizophrenic brother in almost four months. It has been a losing battle with the mental health system. My brother has been homeless for 2 years and at this point I feel like there is nothing I can do. The state had guardianship of him until 2018. He had a roof over his head and took his medicine. They gave it back to him. Since they gave it back to him his life has gotten out of control. He has been arrested 8 times. He had no criminal history before this. He doesn't do drugs or drink. I finally got the help of a psychiatrist in the jail system who was able to have him committed. The magistrate denied her numerous times until she went to the DOJ. Now he has a guardian(in a completely different city) and last time I talked to them nothing has changed. They said they can't force him even though they are his guardian. The amount of time that he did receive mental health care was the equivolent of putting a drug addict in rehab for 2 weeks and expecting them to stay sober. The psychiatrist in the jail recommended him be put in a 90 day program at a state hospital(what he needed) and they didn't approve it. My brother won't get any help. The system won't help him. I went to the magistrates and I went to the cops. Nobody will help. Also, my brother has tried to manipulate me and treats me like crap. The stress of this has caused me to have episodes of my own. Now with the coronavirus I am extra worried. I also feel like I am letting my parents down. I saw my dad fight the mental health system for years when my brother was younger and now I have been through it. I wish I would have told him how strong his was. Anyways, this will probably the longest post I will do. I hope everyone else is doing ok.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
It’s a really sad state of affairs that mental health crises are so misunderstood by many police. I used to be involved with crisis intervention training with the police department exactly for people like you who are dealing with your brothers situation. Mental health care is needed, not imprisonment. It’s yet another systemic issue of society and I am sorry to hear you are so personally affected by this. I wish there were a way to help ease the heavy load you are carrying right now. I feel you should keep trying to reach out in any way you can. My wish for you is there is a lawyer or social services who will listen attentively to everything you’re dealing with and start supporting you more.
Hugs to you.
This isn't within your control
I worked in the mental health system in Canada as well as having a mental illness and it's tough
People have to be seen as an immediate threat to themselves or others to be committed
What you or I may see as a threat doesn't raise to the level of a 'legal' threat necessarily and that's for a good reason.... It wasn't that long ago that people received lobotomies and barbaric treatments that we fortunately no longer have or were locked up for life
It's a difficult balance.... I am so sorry that this is hurting you.... I hope that one day he'll recognize that he needs his meds and take them....
I completely agree that he shouldn't be put into the criminal justice system... It sux..... Big hug.....xo
If he ends up in jail, maybe he would be fortunate enough to have a good prison chaplain. Sometimes they have good connections and influence within the system. Maybe seek them out if he ends up in jail. I have a friend that is a prison chaplain and he is always ready to support the incarcerated, above and beyond the norm.
A therapist for you might be a good idea if you find yourself overwhelmed and especially feeling guilt and that you are letting your parents down. That will only crush your spirit. You can’t put that kind of pressure on yourself when the options available to you are slim to begin with.
Sometimes we are only left with prayer, but there is peace that comes with it. Make sure he knows you love him if you ever have the opportunity. That was the hope I held onto.
Right at this moment I am going to go and sit quietly summoning all my positive loving energy and good wishes and send them your and your brothers way. It's not much in "real" terms but if you feel a little warmth in your heart (even though we don't know one another) when you read this, I am prepared to claim we connected a little through this message and it got through :-D
Moobs