[Felix441]

I am posting here because my dad has a history of manic episodes and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a professional but his symptoms could be something else. He currently lives in a different city from me so I'm looking for advice on what I should do.

The other day he told me that someone was trying to break into his apartment but since then I have started to think that he is hallucinating and paranoid. Just the stuff he says doesn't make sense and this has happened before in the past. He called me last night to say that he was sitting at the train station because he was afraid to stay home. He said he could hear people standing outside talking about how they were going to try to get into his apartment again but he has never actually seen these people. He also believes that his landlord is in on the whole thing so he won't tell anyone else and won't call the police.

Should I notify his doctor? Or call someone? I'm worried he will just abandon the apartment and he is recovering from cancer right now and will inevitably end up homeless if this continues.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Felix: I'm sorry your dad is having such a difficult time. I don't know how old your dad is, of course. I'm an older person myself... perhaps older than your dad. I'm certainly no expert with regard to this sort of thing. But I believe some of the experiences your dad is having can also be symptomatic of senior dementia. Plus just the fact that he is recovering from cancer is, no doubt, having a significant impact. It was a not-all-that-serious bout with cancer that started my downhill slide years ago.

I don't know what your relationship with your dad is or if he has given his permission for his medical / mental health providers to talk with you. If he has not / will not, there may not be much you can do. If he has, or if he will, then yes I think it would be perfectly appropriate for you to discuss your concerns with his doctor & / or other medical / mental health care providers.

I don't know what types of services are available where your dad lives. But perhaps there could be some in-home care that could be arranged for him. I've had some experiences handling situations such as this for older relatives in years past. It can be challenging to figure out what can be made available & to make arrangements for it. I can require large amounts of phone work. But it can be beneficial.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[Felix441]

Thanks skeezyks, I have been unable to get in touch with him today. He is close with his neighbor who has a key so I called her and she has not seen him either. He told her that he was going to stay with a friend across the city. She believes that he is taking amphetamines again and that triggered it but I don't want to jump to conclusions just yet. At this point there is nothing I can do.

[Sunflower123]

I hope you locate your dad soon and that he gives you permission to talk to his medical providers. He clearly needs assistance. Good luck.

[Wild Coyote]

I hope you locate your dad soon.

If he has bipolar illness and is taking amphetamines, he may be becoming manic.
The fact that you've heard some of this from him before is a good thing, as his current struggles are likely not a new and an additional illness.
However, you cannot know for sure until you have more info.

As Jennifer has mentioned, it's important he give permission for you to talk with his providers so you can advocate for him.

It also may be helpful to get him to an ER where they can sort out what's going on.

I wish you and your dad the best.


WC