[Greenfish77]

I have two friends with bipolar disorder who both refuse to acknowledge that they have a disorder since they're in mania, even though both of them have told me in the past that they have it (also I can tell by there mannerisms since I e been there before). What do I do to help them? They are both doing extremely risky/dangerous things that could get themselves killed. One of them goes up to drug addicts in the bad part of town at night and tries to convert them. I wish someone had helped me before I ended up getting treatment.

Any ideas are much appreciated!

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm a firm believer that you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. I spent most of my teen years angry that I was forced into treatment. I wasn't ready to accept the help I desperately needed. No one could have told me otherwise.

It's awful to watch your friends do dangerous things but if they don't even see a problem, they won't be willing to accept help. The best you can do is continue to be there when the crash comes and hope they'll be ready to lean on you then.

[Victoria'smom]

I don't know how to help them. I keep my husband inside when he's manic he's not safe to drive. Most likely anything you do will be met with anger. The best thing is to do healthy things with them when you can and just be there no judgment when they crash.

[UpDownAround]

I really hate to mention the nuclear option but involuntary commitment is better than death. If it is really obvious, it doesn't require filing anything, just reporting it to the right agency for an intervention. That may be the police or possibly other authority. Your local mental health facility or health department or crisis assessment center would know who you should call. Short term and maybe long term they are not going to be happy with you if you do this. Think it through and be sure you really think it warrants it before doing it.

[Sunflower123]

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. You can just be there as a supportive friend unless you can talk with their family members and have them committed involuntarily. Best wishes.

All you can do is be honest with your friends....tell them you are worried about them because you care.....offer advise and suggest they seek treatment. I've been helped many times when I didn't want help.....I've been hospitalized against my will or received unsolicited advise from well meaning people that had a huge effect. It's not always true that you have to want help to be helped.....and even if your friend doesn't listen to you now they might remember what you said in the future and be helped simply by recalling That you cared enough to do something rather than nothing. As another poster mentioned, they might get mad at you but as long as your heart is in the right place, you should know you did the right thing. I'm sorry to hear your friends are unwell and hope they get the care they deserve, whether they know what's good for them or not.

[JanusunaJ]

Originally Posted by Greenfish77

I have two friends with bipolar disorder who both refuse to acknowledge that they have a disorder since they're in mania, even though both of them have told me in the past that they have it (also I can tell by there mannerisms since I e been there before). What do I do to help them? They are both doing extremely risky/dangerous things that could get themselves killed. One of them goes up to drug addicts in the bad part of town at night and tries to convert them. I wish someone had helped me before I ended up getting treatment.

Any ideas are much appreciated!

In 2011 I was going through a very tough time, one of the toughest of my life.

Possible trigger:

One afternoon, I attempted suicide; an acquaintance called the police and I was taken to the hospital, was treated and released later that afternoon. Then, that night, I made a more deadly attempt. I don't really know how I survived. It wasn't until the morning that some friends who were staying with me at my apartment found me.

All that being said, one of my friends that had stayed with me through the night said that she was going to call the police every day if I didn't go to the hospital right then and there. I was very out of it, but I went to the hospital without complaint. I don't know if calling the police every day is the best solution for your friends, but it seems that they are legitimately putting their lives at risk. Maybe it will take a drastic threat like calling the police or something equally or more serious every day to get their attention and get them to seek professional help. Maybe they will be mad at you, but I think it's okay for them to be mad. At least they'll be alive to be able to be mad.

See if you can channel the heroin-helper into volunteering for an established and responsible charity that helps addicts. Suggest that they join a 12-step group for addicts. What are your friends like when they are depressed?

[5150DirtDiva]

Have they sought help before? Many people have bad experiences, especially if hospitalized. Some medications are horrendous too. It is super common for people feeling good in mania to refuse treatment and that is like trying to talk my toddler out of chocolate, it is not happening.