We think my son is bipolar and I feel I have no where else to go right now, my husband just doesn't want to deal with it anymore.
It all started with him 10 years ago. It was pretty bad at that time but I lived in denial. My husband dealt with it. We had my son go to a mental health facility but he left in 2 or 3 days. I remember I didn't want him there. The people in there seemed so much more ill (he is there now)
He has been angry with us for this for the last 10 years. He got married and his wife dealt with him then. (He is now divorced. ) We knew he did some different things when they were married, but as a child he was always going through (what I called different phases) so that is what I thought his strange behavior was.
He was living with us for the past year during and after his divorce. Now he is in CA and using money that doesn't belong to him. And he believes he is going to save the world and help all of us by getting us all lots of money. I want to talk to him about the fact that I believe he is bipolar but he gets angry when we say this and told his dad that he would change his name and we would never see him again if we mentioned it again. I am at a lose as to what to do. I am so concerned he will end up in jail or worse.
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas anyone has. I have read a lot about bipolar but haven't really seen any answers as to what to do to get them to get help. I want to tell him about bipolar again and try to show him how his symptoms seem to match to a T. Just so you know he has never been diagnosed. We have never gotten that far. He is however far worse than he has ever been now.
It all started with him 10 years ago. It was pretty bad at that time but I lived in denial. My husband dealt with it. We had my son go to a mental health facility but he left in 2 or 3 days. I remember I didn't want him there. The people in there seemed so much more ill (he is there now)
He has been angry with us for this for the last 10 years. He got married and his wife dealt with him then. (He is now divorced. ) We knew he did some different things when they were married, but as a child he was always going through (what I called different phases) so that is what I thought his strange behavior was.
He was living with us for the past year during and after his divorce. Now he is in CA and using money that doesn't belong to him. And he believes he is going to save the world and help all of us by getting us all lots of money. I want to talk to him about the fact that I believe he is bipolar but he gets angry when we say this and told his dad that he would change his name and we would never see him again if we mentioned it again. I am at a lose as to what to do. I am so concerned he will end up in jail or worse.
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas anyone has. I have read a lot about bipolar but haven't really seen any answers as to what to do to get them to get help. I want to tell him about bipolar again and try to show him how his symptoms seem to match to a T. Just so you know he has never been diagnosed. We have never gotten that far. He is however far worse than he has ever been now.
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Answers
I could get rid of it for you if needed...but I hope things turn around for the better for you...and of course, for him.
Best,
Clyde
It sounds to me as if the sad truth is that he will not accept help until he's ready for it. This may be like the idea of an alcoholic hitting bottom. It may be that the only thing you can do is to take good care of yourself in the meantime. I know it's hard not to be focused on him and the problems he is creating for himself. You might try joining a support group for people with family members affected by mental illness. Look up NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org). I am absolutely sure you are not the only one in this situation. You may get suggestions and support from others who are in the same difficulties. Best of luck to you.
I have heard that before about hitting bottom. And I know I need to do that but he is getting himself in so deep. I am afraid he won't make it. I appreciate your answer and I will look up the Nami org. Thank you!
No he has no one there that cares about him. He thinks that the stars of Hollywood do.
Boy, that is a tough one. Could you possibly talk to him on the phone and see if he could see a doctor? I know he may not want to go, but I am about at a loss to try and figure anything else out.
Does he have family there in CA where he is at that you could call and discuss it with?
If not family, how about friends?
Hope you can get him some help soon.
Best,
Clyde
I started to talk to him on the phone the other day I just couldn't. I have been around him long enough to know that when he is irritated it is not the time. Right now he is on speeding spree. After he does that kind of thing when he comes out of it he goes into deep depression. I told him what he was doing was not right and he realizes that and gets down that nothing is that bad and to go to the hospital and get help. That is all I can think of. My husband doesn't want me to talk to him I think we are both afraid of what he will do.
From everything I have read I know that is not the right way. But so far I haven't been able to muster enough courage to talk to him. I did e-mail him and asked if I could be honest and he wanted to know what I was talking about and that's when I could tell he was irritated.
I am also concerned he will find what I have written here and be furious. Can I delete this eventually?
Thank you for responding I guess I will just keep waiting for the right opportunity