bipolar help centers
How should I deal with a parent who’s probably bipolar, manic-depressive?
I currently live with my dad, and I seriously suspect he’s bipolar or manic-depressive. He’s a doctor, and has been seriously causing trouble in the past five years. He quit his practice five years ago to write books, and has had to work temporary jobs at various medical firms to pay his bills. He’s recently opened an alternative healing center in an economically depressed town in the Midwest, and needless to say, it’s failing. He’s gone back to work working a temporary job to PAY for his failing venture, and neglecting his own bills! Going around with him and listening to him talk with people he knows, he has been making very crazy comments to people, for example, that he will make 100 million dollars this year, or make someone Vice-President of his publishing company.
I know there’s a history of mental illness on his side of the family. What can I do to convince him to get on medication or get help? I’m seriously considering cutting ties with him, and my family is too.
Take him to a psych. Seriously.
I think you -can- commit him to a psych ward without his permission if necessary, which it sounds like it may be if he’s not getting any help for himself… you should try talking about this with him before you go over his head though.
I don’t know how to convince him he needs it, maybe you could try listing all the symptoms you see that he has, and then show him the list and explain seriously that you’re worried about him… ask him to humour you and at least get himself checked out, because if he’s fine then they won’t find anything and you won’t have to worry anymore, and if he’s not then it’s good to know. =)
University Counseling Center at the University of Wyoming
