My best friend's brother is bipolar, how can I help her and her mother?

Question

My best friend's brother is bipolar. He's my best guy friend too. She and her mother are having a hard time accepting the situation. Since we've become so close(she and her mother with me) I would appreciate any support or pointer from any one that has been in this situation.

Answer 1

Help the brother and you will help the family.

It's not something they need to learn to 'accept' but is something they have accepted his entire life without having a name to it, the brother is the man who needs your support if you're going to give it to anyone. He's just been given a life-long psychological stigma attached to his name and to his moods, and now his family thinks that they are the ones that need the help? Hopefully he will seek out treatment, and hopefully his friends and family will get over the fact that he's been called bi-polar.



I read a good book about depression based on a girl's own life- Prosac Nation. I know that your friend is not 'depressed' but being bi-polar means that he will go through manic and depressed states, and this book can help you realize what a burden it is to him, not only to now be called 'bi-polar' but to go through what he is.

Answer 2

Ok Im bypolar my email address is [e-mail]. My 17 year old daughter is also bypolar. What you have to do is just be there. That is all you can do. He has to do everything on his own. No one can force him to get help or take meds. And it takes BOTH of those things to handle bypolar. You cant just take meds or just see a therepist. You have to do BOTH. But, he has to do it on his own. He has to see he needs help and get it. And stay with it the rest of his life. And please understand that it is his brain that is sick. And that is something the drs. just cant fix. So just everyone be there. And watch him carefully. And I do check my daughters room every once in a while without her knowing. As she cuts. And so my husband and I do a room check, just to make sure she is not hiding anything. He needs to get checked out, if he hasnt already. And get put on meds and get hooked up with a therepist. It also helps if family and friends go to Bypolar support groups as well. So everyone understands this very deadly mental illness. If you need to talk just email me.

Answer 3

My brother is bipolar too. Let them know that you are there for them and listen. Sometimes they may just need to talk. It takes a while to adjust. Along with his ups and downs they will have them too. With him, in particular, always have positive feedback- his self-esteem needs a boost and encourage him to stay on the medication. If it seems that the medication is NOT working, offer to take him or go with him into the doctor's office to discuss adjustment in medication. He needs to know that someone is there for him- OTHER than immediate family. He needs to know he has friends- this is CRUCIAL. Friendship is a major healing factor for those that are bipolar. Introduce him to other positive people that will have a positive influence on him (as well as his family). Always give them positive input and even give them a chance to "rest" from the situation from time to time. My brother lives with my mom and it is very stressful on her. For her, she talks with her best friend every night and that helps. As his sister, I find that he needs me to be firm with him (not harsh- but firm). Sometimes he needs to be gently reminded of what needs to be done (case in point, he came to my job while I was helping a customer recently- I gently reminded him that I was helping the customer and suggested he have a seat in the waiting area, which he did).

Answer 4

There is alot of information on the yahoo health site for this:

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw148751



It contains such information:



Learning about bipolar disorder:

What is bipolar disorder?

What causes bipolar disorder?

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

What happens in bipolar disorder?

Are there different types of bipolar disorder?

Can I prevent bipolar disorder?



Being diagnosed:

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Who can diagnose bipolar disorder?



Getting treatment:

How is bipolar disorder treated?

What medications can I take for a depressive episode?

What medications can I take for a manic episode?

Will I need counseling?



Ongoing concerns:

Will I need treatment for bipolar disorder for the rest of my life?



Living with bipolar disorder:

How can I manage my bipolar disorder?

Can I manage a manic episode on my own?