Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
so I went to take my boys to the hospital because they are escalating in aggressiveness as well as in psychosis. they are currently awaiting to get into the residential part, but I no longer am able to keep them from escalating to the point that someone is going to get seriously hurt. I am trying everything I can think of to keep everyone safe in the meantime. well, my thing is I tried to get them into the acute part and they denied them saying unless they are suicidal they don't fit the criteria. what the hell? so I said what am I supposed to do when they are going at each other and the guy said to get in the middle of them! DUH! I said I do! he then told me to call the cops. again DUH! I had to call them on Thursday night and all the cops said was for the boys to settle down, have a male relative take them to a hospital if I didn't feel safe driving them myself because they are not a taxi service! OMG! my question is how to keep everyone safe in the time it takes, up to two weeks, to get them in residential? any ideas? please help and thanks
How old are they? What is/are their diagnosis/es? When were they diagnosed? Who diagnosed them?
If you report to the psychiatrist that treats them that they are a danger to themselves -or- others, s/he is bound by law to do something about it. Start there - can you get them or one of them into an acute facility? Or at least adjust the medications? Most psychiatrists are willing to prescribe "emergency" medication for mania and/or psychosis. The older drugs like Trazadone will calm them down, they are very sedating.
Ask their school counselor for help with resources.
Call the United Way & ask for resources they can refer you to.
Call the state department of family services & ask about day or other support programs
Go online to NAMI at http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=your_local_nami & find your local chapter - call them.
Make an appointment to discuss the situation calmly with the police department - take medical record evidence to support your need for them to be more supportive.
One of my bipolar children assaulted & very seriously injured someone. If you know in your gut you are sitting on a time bomb, call & keep calling every resource available.
If there are guns in the house, get them out.
I feel for you. Message me if I can help.