[onlymedid]

my sister is bp and is over-medicating herself. She lost her house to a fire one week ago, was able to find an apartment and move in, got some beds and a tv, but she has been on a downward spiral this whole week.
Her husband is ready to give up on her because this is the third time in about 3 months that she has done this.
The family is thinking about doing an intervention, but I know she will just walk out of it. She is so stubborn.
I can't tell if she's manic or depressed because she is always over-medicated, slurring her words, can't hold a conversation and is constantly jittery. She is hallucinating now thinking that people are coming in her house, thinks her husband has some girlfriend in her bed (mind you she is standing right in front of the bed looking at it and no one is there) and is thinking that there are people having sex in the cars outside her apartment.
She refuses to go to the doctor or the hospital. She hasn't threatened herself or anyone else, as far as I know so I can't have her committed. I think Idaho is a state that you can't commit someone else or something like that. IDK.
I just don't know what to do.
Thoughts? Ideas? Help?

[Direction]

Hi,

I'm not familiar if you've posted about your sister, so I have some thoughts questions...Does over-medicating mean using drugs/alcohol or does it mean she is taking more of her medication than perscribed? With the use of your word intervention...it sounds more like non-prescribed stuff? Has she ever seen a p-doc? or therapist? Is she prescribed meds? You indicated that your sister is bp...does that mean a p-doc determined that dx or is this observations.

You may want to review the signs of mania and depression from this site...the more you know the better you may understand your sisters symptoms and behavior. Share this information with your brother-in-law. If he is really considering giving up, that may suggest he doesn't have much information (unless this has been going on for many years). Losing your house is traumatic event and if she has bp may be compounded.

I guess my theme here is get more information about bp and come from a softer approach. Hope things get better.

[onlymedid]

Originally Posted by Direction

Hi,

I'm not familiar if you've posted about your sister, so I have some thoughts questions...Does over-medicating mean using drugs/alcohol or does it mean she is taking more of her medication than perscribed? With the use of your word intervention...it sounds more like non-prescribed stuff? Has she ever seen a p-doc? or therapist? Is she prescribed meds? You indicated that your sister is bp...does that mean a p-doc determined that dx or is this observations.

You may want to review the signs of mania and depression from this site...the more you know the better you may understand your sisters symptoms and behavior. Share this information with your brother-in-law. If he is really considering giving up, that may suggest he doesn't have much information (unless this has been going on for many years). Losing your house is traumatic event and if she has bp may be compounded.

I guess my theme here is get more information about bp and come from a softer approach. Hope things get better.

She is taking prescribed meds, but more than is prescribed. She has seen a Pdoc in the past, but refuses to go now. She gets her meds from her GP.
I am BP, too, so I know the signs, but I am not sure with her because I don't get to spend enough time with her. I think it's a great idea to share with her husband some information, though!! Thanks for the idea!
She has been doing this off and on for many years, but only recently has she done it this badly and for this long.
I get what you say about coming from a softer approach....maybe that's an idea, too. I will have to talk to the family and let them know more about BP and what it entails, how hard it is to deal with and the difficulties that lie with the person who has to live day to day with it.
Thanks!

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by onlymedid

..I think it's a great idea to share with her husband some information, though!! Thanks for the idea!
She has been doing this off and on for many years, but only recently has she done it this badly and for this long.
I get what you say about coming from a softer approach....maybe that's an idea, too. I will have to talk to the family and let them know more about BP and what it entails, how hard it is to deal with and the difficulties that lie with the person who has to live day to day with it.
Thanks!

Very good idea, Onlymedid, getting the family up to speed on the issues with BP.
I don't know your sister, but to me, over-medicating is probably an indication that she is in serious pain and needs help urgently - medically, psychologically, socially, practically...

[onlymedid]

Originally Posted by Tsunamisurfer

Very good idea, Onlymedid, getting the family up to speed on the issues with BP.
I don't know your sister, but to me, over-medicating is probably an indication that she is in serious pain and needs help urgently - medically, psychologically, socially, practically...

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about her being in pain and needing help. She just won't get the help she needs.

[Direction]

Originally Posted by onlymedid

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about her being in pain and needing help. She just won't get the help she needs.

In the past I would say I waited to long to get help. I had various reasons. Maybe exploring why may be helpful. Sometimes I was denying that the depression or poor choice was getting worse or affecting others. Sometimes it was the screw it attitude...if its this bad what does it matter anyway. Then anything in between.

Also, if she's not willing to get what ever is the usual help turned to in this circumstance (thinking it might be being inpatient), is there an alternative...maybe something lighter like a support group or maybe a outpatient program.