You raise good questions for thought. He does have a therapist, and we are trying as a family to meet with him, so group discussions can happen. My B-in-L does things to frustrate this planning, I think in some ways he is still running, I get the feeling that if we know exactly who he has become, his thoughts, his feelings, that we will leave him on his own. Fear is an incredible immobilizer.

The docs are going through sets of drugs to find what works, B-in-L does seem more willing to communicate with his mother about what works and what doesn't, to my wife and I he keeps the "good time charlie" attitude/mask on, so it's hard to have any serious or meaningful conversation with him.

I'm trying to figure out how to break through it. Keep in mind, I'm about 6 years younger then him, I'm living in the house he had before, and now his son has opted to live with us vs. him or his ex. At this point I am a easy target for the emotional pain and frustration he has about life and his situation. After his father, I make a great enemy #1.

I don't have a therapist, and for now don't need one although I see the benefit. My character is a that of a troubleshooter, I'm interested in what makes people tick, and have for sometime learned the lessons of not taking things personal (I work as a Project Manager in technology, it requires thick skin!). Doesn't mean I don't need guidance, I need it, since I don't know everything.

B-in-L won't post, he struggles to do the basics in life, only do one thing at a time, and even though goes through huge stress to accomplish the task. He finally fell asleep last night after about 3 days of extremely low sleep.

You hit the nail, on acceptance of the illness. I Think this is the roadblock, and only see getting together with him and his therapist, talking about his behaviors when the manic hits etc. as the only way to help pull him out of his emotional hiding place.