family member could be in trouble really scared!!!!!!!!

my aunt is bipolar one pretty severly and she has been diagnosed but she refuses to admit that she has a problem b/c she hates lables and the meds therefore she is not taking any. i have OCD, GAD, and depression so although i know a lot about bipolar i have no idea what shes going through b/c i do not have it. i know that when she is not on her meds for a long time it can get really scary and sometimes she hurts herself or other people. i haven't been able to get a hold of her and she lives in chicago and i live in dallas. its not like her to not stay in contact with me and her phone has been disconnected. i'm really scared b./c last time we talked she didn't sound ok. its been a week and i know alot of you will be like a week thats it but for us thats a while. i don't know whats going on but she lives with her fiance who is also bipolar and not taking his meds so it has the potential to get really volitile and it has in the past. please just send any advice or positive thoughts my way b/c i have no idea whats going on with her....

I know you're scared for your aunt. It's really hard being so far away and feling helpless. It's your aunt's decision, ultimately, whether she decides to get treatment or not, though I'm sure you wish you could make her somehow. Sometimes it takes a lot for people to realize that things are out of their control, and your aunt probably has trouble admitting that to her self and asking for help. Is there any way you can write her a letter and let her know that you care and are worried for her? Maybe knowing how hard it is on you, watching this happen from afar, will wake her up a little bit.
There may come a time in her swing that she realizes she needs help. When I'm manic I don't even stop to think... just don't give up hope that when she's feeling differently, she may get help on her own.
*Sending you hope*

Dear Hope,

These things happen among friends and family. It would be a good idea to know and have her doctor's number handy. If you had a good reason, you could then call him (her) to make sure your aunt is doing alright.

The second thing you can do (today even), is call her local police department, and ask them to check on her. Ask them to either have her call you, or make arrangements with the police to call you back. Either way you will have peace of mind within the same day.

Just explaining to them that she usually has contact with you and she has chosen to go off meds, so you are wanting to know if she is doing alright. Maybe you would not even have to explain the medication part. Just telling them you are worried about her as she has not called you as she normaly does might get them to check.

I hope this helps. This does work, as you are concerned for her safety.

It is best thou to have another number closer to her..if not the doctor then a neighbor or a close friend of hers.

Sorry to hear you are going thru this. There is nothing worse then worrying about someone, and not being able to call them.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Sincerely,
Colors

I understand your fear. My daughter is bi polar. She is married with 4 children and has been off her meds for over a month. She is impossible to talk to about this, as she just lies to me. Her husband is no help. I recently made a dr appt for her, paid for 1 mos medication when she gets a new one, and arranged for her to get free meds from the drug company once she and her doctor fill out the application. My husband and I have helped her often because we worry about the kids. She never showed up for her appt on Saturday nor did she pick up her prescription. I don't know what more we can do? She is terribly mean when she is off her meds, and I worry about her kids. I can handle her verbal assaults, but I don't think it's a good life for her kids. She also admitted to me after I smelled it that she and her husband are smoking pot to relax. ( interesting that they can afford cigarettes and pot, but not her meds.) They have no insurance because of his seasonal working. I just don't know how pushy I should be in getting her to the doctor and getting on her meds again. She is 32 yrs old. At some point I think I need to let it go, but as a grand parent I can't seem to let go of the worry about her kids. I would take any advice I could get. I so empathize with you on your worry about your aunt. It is so hard on families. I feel so bad about my daughter's plight, but it seems that I can't care anymore that she and her husband do about their welfare. I could not figure out how to start a new thread, so I apologize for going on and on. Good luck to you.