My sister

well, my oldest sister (40 years old) was finally diagnosed bipolar and finally admits to it. She is in the hospital voluntarily, which I am so thankful for. I am Bipolar also, so I understand what she is going through. I have been in the hospital once, not voluntarily.
It is weird to have gone to the hospital and to have seen her in there. It's a different hospital than the one I was in, but just to be in a hospital made me very anxious and I felt like I shouldn't be there. It was weird.
She was doing well, they had her on Cymbalta and Lithium. She might get out today or tomorrow depending on how the meds work for her. She has been in since Thursday night.
She is talking about quitting her job because she just hates every job she gets after about 6-7 months. She says she is fine at first, but then she hates it after that long. She wants to get on disability, but it takes about 2 years to do that.
I wish I could help her, but I don't know what to do for her. I have suggested therapy and even suggested she go see my psychiatrist because he is the best in the area for Bipolar. He even does his own case studies and everything.
Ugh.....IDK what to do. She is a big girl, right? I should just let her deal with it how she will? Or should I keep pushing her to see someone?
Oh, did I mention that she is addicted to pain pills and has been for years? She is off them now because she is in the hospital, but what happens when she gets out?!
Anyways, do I keep trying to help her or do I just keep to myself?

Well, you can't make her do anything she doesnt want to. I mean tell her once that she should talk to your therapist maybe give a number.. and then leave it at that...i mean thats the best you can do right? Lead her to water...

Yeah, that's true. I could do that.

Ryask is right - you can offer advice (it helps if you start it with asking if it's okay), but in the end she's an adult and will make her own decisions. The hardest part is to not beat yourself up if she makes bad choices. I was told once that it's okay to love someone even if you can't approve of their behaviors. Be strong.

Thanks, I am trying to be strong. It's a good idea to ask her if it's ok to offer advice, you are right. Good call on not beating myself up because I have a tendency to do that.....

I agree with all the above...Offer advice when you can, be close to her but at the same time keep a distance emotionally so that you don't get affected - that can be very tricky when you have your own deal to cope with..
Take care

Thanks. Keeping my distance emotionally is hard because she's my sister. Oh, I didn't mention that she is in the hospital during the same time as the anniversary of my moms death 3 years ago. I think that might have effected her decision to go in, too. It made my weekend that much harder.

It's not an easy situation to be in....I apologise if I sounded a bit harsh before, I didn't mean it that way. I really hope your sister gets better and that you keep well.
Remember that the only thing that can always be offered is love..And it is a big thing! It sounds silly but it is so true, especially when all words of advice fail, because of the state someone's in...So never think that you're not doing enough for your sister...

Hey yeah I would let her go see a doctor on her because she might get mad at you big huggs glad that she getting help did a doctor told her to admit herself

I'm sorry you are going through this.
You can really only give advice, and only once, and then let the person decide.

I know you say she has accepted her diagnosis, but she may still be in denial. Possibly not wanting help or advice. I'm glad she is receiving help and has been started on meds

Nope, you didn't sound harsh at all. Thanks for the kind words and I will remember that I am doing all I can for her.

Just an update, my sister should be getting out sometime this mid week. I am hoping she will have enough help when she gets out like therapy and stuff.
I will still be there for her, though. I will update if anything happens.