How Do You Deal With a Seriously Bi-Polar Loved One When He/she Is in Denial?
Question by Nani: How do you deal with a seriously Bi-Polar loved one when he/she is in denial?
Recently, I noticed a pattern in a loved one’s behaviour. It was an eye-opening experience, because she had all the classic symptoms of being Bi-Polar and then some. During her manic swings she is the most positive and loving person on earth, and generous to a fault. During her ‘depressive’ moods she’s like a pit-viper, angry, sullen, and ready to seriously maim the heart and spirit with cruel criticism, insults, and ridicule…even in front of other people. I’ve witnessed her vascillating between the two modes several times in one day. Yet, when I mention that she might get some medical help, she vehemently counters that there is nothing wrong with her, it’s just her. I worry about what this is doing to her physically as well as mentally. Any tricks for coping, other than just running away and hiding until the ‘bombing’ stops? I’ve already tried leaving informational brochures around for her to find. It makes her mad. She won’t even allow a discussion.
Best answer:
Answer by lindalbnj
U are going ot have to wait until they finally realize, if not then you should give them information on signs and symptoms and let them know it is very common. 3 out of 10 people are Bi-Polar. Without medicine, or treatment it will only get worse. They really need help because they can not help the way they act. I am Bi-Polar, so I know.
Answer by Diana D
You did not mention your relationship with this person or their age. If this is a friend, can you speak with her family? Can an intervention be held in which all of you – without ganging up on her, express your concerns and show your caring? Perhaps you or a family member can offer to accompany this person to an evaluation.
Being Bi-Polar or depressive IS NOT A MENTAL illness It is usually an imbalance of body chemicals. If this person can see that it is as if she developed diabetes instead and would certainly treat that – she might see how treating this disease is the same.
As I said to my son, if you were a diabetic we would see how we could control the diabetes with diet, exercise, meds., whatever it took. This is the same. It may take us a while to find what works best, just as a newly diagnosed diabetic, but together we can get help for this and control it.
If she continues being in denial there is not a lot you can do to help her. You cannot help someone who does not want help. Just as the diabetic who insists on eating high sugar, high carb. foods. If she won’t get help and it affects your relationship you may have to walk away.
Help her if you can, but don’t let her disease cause you to become ill. Rule #1 – watch out for yourself first. You cannot help her if you are too emotionally involved or getting sick over this issue.
Good luck – my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
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