[gardner75]

Hi everyone,

I'm posting out of extreme concern for my sister who was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after having several episodes of psychosis the other day. Because of her behavior it has been thought that she had a manic bipolar episode and has had several more since being admitted.

Her three day hold is almost up and I believe they are working on having her stay a few more weeks on an involuntary psychiatric hold.

Unfortunately, I don't have much knowledge of what's going on or what to believe when I talk to her as she is still not herself. I don't know why, but she won't put my mom or me on the release to let us talk to the doctor (and we live very far from her), and her husband is the one who is communicating with the doctors and on the release. We have luckily been in communication with him off and on.

I am very new to all of this. I just want to make sure my sister is getting the best care possible and while I trust they are doing everything they can for her, it's hard to sit back and feel so useless.

Some history: My sister has always had a very bad temper - since she was little. She's always been pretty moody, and we'd always joke that she had a motor mouth, especially when she's angry or passionate about something. Her temper tantrums and mood changes have gotten worse, but they've ALWAYS been due to triggers. They've never appeared out of the blue. The psychosis she experienced a few days ago (and now a few more times I guess) has NEVER happened until this week and it was pretty bad from what I heard.. her pupils were dilated, she didn't know who she was, wasn't speaking coherently, had paranoia, etc. She's 29. She thinks she may be in the early stages of pregnancy but the tests so far are negative (she has a theory hormones could have brought out BPD but I can't find a ton of info to support that).

I know that the best resource would be for me to speak with a medical doctor, but from your experiences, can sudden psychosis in BPD happen for the first time in someone her age (I know schizophrenia in females can have a later onset like this)? And what about her past behavior I described? I also feel like they should do an MRI to rule out any abnormalities...?

Is there anything I should suggest to her husband, or anything I could try and do for my sister? I feel like I'm bothering her when I call, so I'm trying to let her come to me... but I don't know what the best thing is to do in this situation.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm sorry your sister is going through so much.

I would recommend PsychEducation | Treating the Mood Spectrum to help learn about bipolar. It is written by a psychiatrist who specializes in bipolar and has lots of helpful information.

Bipolar usually starts in the early-mid twenties but plenty of people on here were diagnosed much later.

I have never had imaging done and don't know anyone who has but it has always seemed logical to me so maybe it is worth suggesting your BIL bring it up to the psychiatrist if he is comfortable. The worst thing that happens is they say no.

Welcome to PC.

[Victoria'smom]

My family has no idea when I get really psychosis. Only when they sit down and really, really talk to me. I can trick most therapists. I've been hospitalized 2x without my family knowing and we're close.

I thought my husband's family was trying to kill me by doing the dishes "wrong", and taking a stray to the pound. To me that was proof. I cried and cried so hard. My husband didn't understand why I was so attached. So I told him why him putting the dog their meant they killed another dog and how that meant I had to divorce him.

When I went on a trip with my parents. I got really emotional any time I talked to my husband. Everyone just thought I missed him. When in reality I thought my parents and him were conspiring to take away my child and leave me stranded in an airport.

It's really hard for me to tease out the odd thoughts and normal thoughts. I have had some level of psychosis most of the time. I've gotten really good at hiding it and reality checking. A good therapist can really help. Hell, over the past maybe year I learned not everyone feels like they're always in a crowded room.

As far as the bipolar aspect. It sounds like she's had BP for a really long time. What I would suggest is for them both to get individual therapists (separate ones) as well as a family therapist that all work together. They'll have to all sign releases. So there's 3 therapists and 1 psychiatrist all sharing notes. Hopefully ones a week sessions.

For you don't worry as much. With good therapy and maybe some medication thing can get better for her. I'm not saying she'll be 100%. I fully believe in kindling (every episode leads to worsening BP)

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

My family has no idea when I get really psychosis. Only when they sit down and really, really talk to me. I can trick most therapists. I've been hospitalized 2x without my family knowing and we're close.

I thought my husband's family was trying to kill me by doing the dishes "wrong", and taking a stray to the pound. To me that was proof. I cried and cried so hard. My husband didn't understand why I was so attached. So I told him why him putting the dog their meant they killed another dog and how that meant I had to divorce him.

When I went on a trip with my parents. I got really emotional any time I talked to my husband. Everyone just thought I missed him. When in reality I thought my parents and him were conspiring to take away my child and leave me stranded in an airport.

It's really hard for me to tease out the odd thoughts and normal thoughts. I have had some level of psychosis most of the time. I've gotten really good at hiding it and reality checking. A good therapist can really help. Hell, over the past maybe year I learned not everyone feels like they're always in a crowded room.

As far as the bipolar aspect. It sounds like she's had BP for a really long time. What I would suggest is for them both to get individual therapists (separate ones) as well as a family therapist that all work together. They'll have to all sign releases. So there's 3 therapists and 1 psychiatrist all sharing notes. Hopefully ones a week sessions.

For you don't worry as much. With good therapy and maybe some medication thing can get better for her. I'm not saying she'll be 100%. I fully believe in kindling (every episode leads to worsening BP)

I believe in kindling too. Every episode is worse than the one before. Think about that! Dam.n.