I think my sister may be bipolar too...

She is telling me about being so depressed and then having up and down times. All of which leads her to drink so much that she may lose her kids. I worry about her. She is willing to get help, but her insurance sucks. They don't want to give her individual psychotherapy. I am sending her links to support groups. And of course I am sending her love, support, and strength. I guess I just wanted to tell somebody. I don't really have a point to this. Sorry.

No one can diagnose her except a doctor... encourage her to see a psychiatrist as most people with bipolar need medication. Seeing a therapist is good practice but having meds is even more important.

It is not uncommon to find bipolar in more than one family member. Both my father and my brother are bipolar as well as me. But, she really needs to go to a doctor and get a proper evaluation. We can only guess while they will get it right. And remember, there are always pieces of the puzzle you do not know about, no matter how close you two are. It is best for her to talk with a psychiatrist in private so the all the pieces can be laid out and the pdoc can make an informed decision.

Good luck and let us know how she is doing and how she makes out.

She is very lucky to have you as a sister Lauru and it's great she's willing to get help. I hope it can get straightened out with her insurance.

I think sometimes that my brother is also bipolar, or schizoaffective. He is in prison and I hope that he will seek help because he never has before. He uses drugs and alcohol when not incarcerated to control his moods or enhance them. Because it took me 2 years of failed treatments and bad reactions, he says in his letters that he's reluctant to talk to a psychiatrist or try meds.

It is hard to see a sibling suffer and not be able to get them the help they need. I guess all I can do is to write him about how well I'm doing vs. how bad things used to be. If your meds are still not working for you, though, how much harder to help someone else? Not saying that yours are or aren't. Just talking about my experience.

I hope she can get some professional help soon. I'm sad with you about this situation.

Your sister is very lucky to have you. I have four siblings and all are diagnosed BP, plus a nephew. Maybe for the time being you can help her work on the symptoms and behaviors? Maybe help develop a support system so that her actions don't cause her to lose her kids? That is so sad about her insurance! One of the hardest things to cope with is having your life falling apart all around you when the only thing standing between you and the help you need is mindless bureaucracy. I hope things work out.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. She is getting help. She has an intake appointment on December 21. She wants to get help. I told her to call me when the sadness comes and she feels like drinking. I love her and will continue to support her. No matter what.

You sound like an amazing sister and friend!! I'm so glad to hear she's prepared to find help. And I hope the insurance company can come on board and let her seek the treatment she may require

awww you sound like one lovely sister! I hope your sister finds the help she needs!

I suspect my brother has it too but he wont go to the doctors for a diagnoses as he believes nothing is wrong with him. Its clear to see something isnt right. My mum, uncle and nan all have BP.....

Anyway! Love and hugs to you and your sister!