Avatar Posted by Chuckone 128 days ago (Question)
I have a sister suffering from Bipolar Disorder. She has all
the classic symptoms including "can't manage her money," irrational outbursts/screaming when she doesn't get her way,
the feeling that everyone is "out to get me," an inability to
"safely" operate a motor vehicle (has had 11 accidents since'2000 and totaled three cars in the past four years), can't maintain the cleanliness of her apartment (has been now
evicted twice for Health Code Violations), difficuly in getting a full night's sleep etc... Her psychiatrists state
that she's taking her medication & is handling her day to day
affairs without any problems, yet what they see and what I observe are the exact opposite. My sister has never held a
job, has totally been reliant on the support of our family
since 1990, yet I cannot convince her that she needs a much
tighter controlled, structured environment where she would
be supervised in making sure she takes her medication, does
daily chores and learns how to eat nutritionally as well as
balance her own checkbook. She had two children but divorced
some almost 20 years ago, is in her fifties and both of her
children want absolutely nothing to do with her due to her
irrational behavior over many, many years. The system seems
to be set up for failure in addressing my sister's needs in
that to much decision-making is left in the hands of the
very person that needs the help the most. Unless she willfully give me power of attorney or permission to act
on her behalf I cannot even find out what medications she's
on or the diagnosis of her psychiatrist due to the HIPPA
Laws! It's very frustrating and almost forces a family member to just abandon her and let the State of Florida
be responsible for her if they're going to "hide behind" the
HIPPA Laws instead of being proactive to get he new psychiatrists, different medication & an environment that's
tightly controlled so my sister does what she's supposed to
do for her disease. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.


Answers

Written by Edahn 127 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Can you talk to her about what's going on, your concerns, and perhaps propose some constructive solutions like finding a new therapist, finding a new psychiatrist, or even admitting her into an outpatient program to help structure her time?

Written by Chuckone 127 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

She absolutely mistrusts all of us and won't listen to

advice from anyone, unless it'something she totally wants. Basically, she's become an island, socially,

and most of her immediate family no longer wants to have anything to do with her after years of irrational

behavior. She seems to surround herself with psychiatrists and "professionals" that she can manipulate and knows very well how to "use the system,"

and as a consequence her behavior remains the same after

20 years plus. Therapist and Psychiatrists actually take

what she's telling them as "the truth" when it's really

a figment of my sister's imagination that has become so

ingrained in her personality that she now believes it's

fact! The professionals seem to never consider that she

either lies of makes stuff up!! She'll never learn from

her mistakes and repeats the same irresponsible behavior. I even feel she does not take her medication

when she should and the psychiatrist never seem to consider giving her a blood test to see if there is

any sign of medication even in her!

Written by Edahn 127 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Who rated my answer negatively? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

I guess the first step, then, would be to earn her trust by showing her that you respect her even though you don't agree with all of her decisions. You can find some activities to do together that benefit you both, like clothes or grocery shopping or maybe taking a quiet walk. I would avoid talking about her for at least a month or so. Wait for her to bring up the topic.

If things get really bad, you can always call 911. They will likely take her to a psych hospital if she determine that she is a danger to herself or others.

Written by bellacutie 127 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Edahn,

I have a good idea who rated your question - if you don't know who I'm talking about you can PM me over at psychcentral. I balanced you out on this and the other since you do the same for me.

Bella(answer buddy) :)

Written by Clyde 116 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I think it is important that you DO talk to her. You need to earn her trust where she feels she can confide in things with you.

Best,

Clyde


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