Quote:
Originally Posted by bpcyclist
I am so sorry you and your mother and family are dealing with this difficult situation, red. Listen, speaking as someone wiht decades of bipolar 1, which is likely at play here, there is no reasoning to be done with a floridly manic person. The main reason for this is that the part of the brain that governs certainty is on fire. So, not only does she have nonfactual, unreal beliefs, but those beliefs are held with more certainty than she has ever experienced in her life--ever.
Unfortunately, it is quite a challenge to get help for folks like this unless they are a danger to self or others, in which case they can usually be committed. This may be your best current shot with your mom.
Have you talked to a psychiatrist where she currently is located? Maybe that person could help you get a plan of attack here.
If she does not get help willingly, she is extremely likely to end up either in the emergency department or arrested. That is the normal course of events fo folks like us who are super, super manic and untreated, because we just have no judgment.
She is alos very likely to blow huge amounts of cash without any thought. Another reason to try to get her some assistance.
65 is quite oldish for first onset of a manic episode. Is she on any meds, by chance? This is a bit of an odd story.
Sending you strength and support. It is very difficult, what you are contending with, and illustrates why some states want to make it easier to civilly commit people in crisis. Not sure how I feel about that as a patient who has been commtited, but her story shows why it might help some people occasionally.
Hang in there. Mybe try to find a pdoc where she is now operating. Good luck!!!
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Apparenlty you're never too old. My mom had her first after 50 and mine came at 38. It could be reactive psychosis. That can present with mania like symptoms and grief can be a cause.
I agree with all of bpcyclist's advice. He is also spot on with his assessement that any beliefs she has are certainties in her mind. Mania bypasses the reasoning center of the brain in a lot of cases.
It might be worth consulting an attorney as well. It sucks to have your parent commited, but it is unlikely she will come down on her own.
She may not be bipolar and she may not need meds forever. She does sound like she needs to be assesed though. Is she using any kind of substances like marijuana?
It may also make sense to look into the mental hospitals in your area. Some have special programs for women. If she does have to go it would be nice for her to be in the best place you can find ahead of time.
If you can get her to an ER they will assess her and then maybe put her on a hold and then send her to a psyc hospital if they deem it appropriate. You can also look into the mental health crisis teams in your area. Sometimes you can call them and they will come to your home and do an assessment there. Both of those options are much better than going to jail... You mentioned she is driving. That is super risky while manic.
I am sorry this is happening. I have been in your shoes and it is tough.