[devestated]

Over the past year I developed a relationship with a friend who is bipolar. He spent 11 months locked up and moved in with me when released. After about 3 days of being out he became severely depressed. He actually could not accomplish anything. He became so frustrated and down on himself. He started leaving the house and staying gone longer and longer. He missed his mental health assessment which was required, couldn'g get out of bed. The last time he left, I saw him 4 days later and he came got his stuff (in 15 min) and left. I haven't seen or spoken to him since. He risked going back by changing residance without permission, and is living with a friend and the friend's mother. (He was not on meds for fear of them keeping him locked up longer. He self medicated himself) He told a mutual friend that he paniced over a threat made by one of my family members, and was afraid of being sent to prison again. He said he knew what he did was wrong. He stated he could not talk about it, and he couldn't face me to talk about it. The friend said he just sat and stared. He was suppose to go to the doctor in two days and get back on the meds, but I don't know if he did. The friend has not been able to contact him since. (He was even afraid to go and see his mother and asked him to go with him.) I wrote him offering support but have not heard anything. We had amde so many plans, which I truly think were sincere on his part. What do I do now, if anything? This caught me totally off guard.

[darkeyes]

Sorry for the "fly by", got to run, but if a person refuses taking his or her meds for this disorder, things are pretty much futile in all respects. When my brother use to get that way, unfortunately it ended up him being brought to the hospital, twice by police, this was a long time ago, once he rcvd. a med that worked for him (Lithium) back in the early 70's his life went to what many of us consider normal, and he has stayed with his meds and appts.
Not to sound so gloomy, but without treatment there isn't much hope here. My heart goes out to you, I've seen how this stuff can get

Please take care,

DE

[ktp]

devestated:

My heart goes out to you. DE is right, everything you or anyone else does is futile if he doesn't want to be medicated. You can't force someone to do it unless they're ready. That is a very heartbreaking lesson I learned from my brother. He's like my first child, and he was diagnosed schizophrenic when he was 15. He does well while on meds but he has unfortunately moved away, (500 mi.) and has quit taking his meds. I can't even call him. I have to write him same as you do and all I can do is ASK him to please or beg him to please but it's up to them, ultimately. I hope all works out with you. I'm trying to get my brother (now age 22) the help he needs, so I know where you're coming from. Best of luck.