When she spent time in the state psych hospital in Oct. 2009, I hoped and prayed that they could help her. She would not cooperate and said whatever she needed to get out as fast as she could. Even her being on suicide watch was not enough to force any kind of evaluation, treatment, etc. She was there for about 6 days and then essentially checked herself out.

Since then, she knows her diagnosis, but obviously refuses to accept it because she refuses to take medication or even search for help.

I can now see the difference between the depression and the mania, she she rapid cycles quite fast. Her mania can last for weeks, where depression lasts for maybe a few days, but I've seen her switch within minutes right in front of me.

She's tried to explain what it's like inside her head to me. She stresses at the slightest thing, is very, very easily distracted, takes extremes risks, cannot complete a simple task like picking up her clothes. If I asked her to pick up her shoes and put them over there, she can't follow a 2-step process. Her self-care is bare necessity and frequently incomplete. She left Friday with the clothes on her back and hasn't been back since for anything else even though I told her I would do her laundry and she could get the next day.

She does have in interview with Soc Sec on June 15. I don't know how she'll get there and may suggest she do the phone interview. She also has a court date in which she must complete a driving course beforehand. She was caught speeding with no license the first of the year. We got her the license in time for her first court hearing, but she has to complete a driving course online before the next one in August. She has told me she doesn't care about it...

I think I'm just beginning to babble here...I want to help, but have to watch that fine line between helping and enabling. I would appreciate anyone's input in regard to their experiences, especially with the state of Illinois, as far as getting assistance of any kind.