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.

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/ Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group

Sister having manic episode, need help!

beckyp
beckyp

I have bipolar disorder, but have been stable for quite a while now. 


My sister started having a problem at work and it has triggered mania.  She was close to a psychotic break last weekend.  Now all she does is talk about this work problem.  She is totally obsessed with it.  It is all she thinks or talks about.  She has insomnia and has lost about 10 pounds.  She has the typical motormouth and has had crying jags and laughing jags.  She is paranoid and has lost her job and is trying to get the union to help her, but she has all these conspiratory ideas about what has been happening to her at work for the past 7 years.  7 years of complete happiness with her job, by the way.  She has euphoria and grandious thoughts about herself.


She refuses to even talk about the mania with us.  We are at a loss as to how to help her.  I can see that this is just going to lead to disaster, but we need to get her down out of this manic episode. 


Can anyone suggest to me how we can help her?  You would think that me having bipolar, I would be able to help her, but I can't.  I tried to talk to her a couple times, but she doesn't listen and thinks nothing is wrong with her.  


We are a family of 5 total.  My sister in law, my nephew, a family friend, myself, and my sister all live together.  

Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Big hug for you Becky..... Unfortunately unless she's seen as a threat to herself or to others there's not too much that you can do about it

Is there anyway that you can get her to see her doctor??
beckyp
beckyp
She has only had one other manic episode about 13-14 years ago that I know of. She doesn't have a pdoc or tdoc. We tried to get her to go to the hospital last weekend, but she would not have it and we didn't feel like it was bad enough to call the police, however, we did think about it. I guess we will just have to ride it out with her and watch her now and when she crashes. Thanks for responding Jan.
MoobbusT
MoobbusT
Hi becky. Best wishes to all your family especially your sister. If she won't consider meds to get some peace, which is the antidote for mania afaik, then try this maybe.

Make a list of all the things you can think of that have ever made her peaceful like maybe nature, dogs, parks, piano music etc and have a go at selling her the goal of increasing peace not fighting mania.

They have the same result.
beckyp
beckyp
Ok Moobbus, I will try that. Thanks.
Rae76
Rae76
I so understand where you are. My mother was diagnosed with Manic Depression back in the 80's. She was fine until 4 years ago. I noticed after she had double knee replacement surgery her personality was changing. She was the soft spoken woman who has turned into something completely unrecognizable. She recently had extensive back surgery early this year and now she is at a manic state. I begged and pledged with the doctors and nurses to conduct an evaluation before her surgery. Well..the nurse told my mom that I requested an evaluation of her mental health and I have been a enemy since. I live in another state. My dad is there caring for her. But he he barely holding on. I called EMS they came out but as always she knew exactly what to say so they didn't take her in. I had to go to the corners off and request that an officer come to the house and take her to the hospital. I am not sure about the State you live in, but that's how I got her to the hospital in Louisiana.
beckyp
beckyp
Thanks for the comments Rae. My sister is much better now. She is hypomanic and manageable. I'm afraid she's going to crash, but we will face that problem if it comes. Sorry about your mom. I'm glad you were able to get her in the hospital. I hope they can help her and that she will accept the help and not hold this against you.
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