[Dadofbp]

This is my son's first manic episode that I am aware of. He is 20 and a brilliant college student home for summer It has been going on for a few months now that we look back. We had him hospitalized last week and it does not seem the Meds are working (yet?). He is either angry or delusional and I am wondering what is the best way to talk with him? Debate seems pointless as his logic is nonexistent and no matter what we say he has a ridiculous comeback. Do we just humor him?

We are going to hospitalize him again in a better facility.

Any advice is appreciated! Thank you.

[specialeffects]

Dadofbp,
You have fairly described any intellectual 20 year old home from college. Reason I say it that way is because,?, there surely is/has been a whole lot of input to his maturity,. With the different social settings, friends, intellectual stimuli.
Delusional per-se, may only be a reflection of the many choices he has reguarding his goals.. If you have the time to expand on what his more usual traits are, within the family dynamics,?, you may also find in that, a time and place/situation where you two can speak without the distractions of youthful exuberence. Does that make sense?
Se
Specialeffects.

[Dadofbp]

I wish that were the case. I spent 2 full days alone with him driving 6 hours each way and staying out of town to see a psychologist. We are not talking about youthful exuberance here - there are "CIA" agents watching for example and delusions of granduer.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by Dadofbp

This is my son's first manic episode that I am aware of. He is 20 and a brilliant college student home for summer It has been going on for a few months now that we look back. We had him hospitalized last week and it does not seem the Meds are working (yet?). He is either angry or delusional and I am wondering what is the best way to talk with him? Debate seems pointless as his logic is nonexistent and no matter what we say he has a ridiculous comeback. Do we just humor him?

We are going to hospitalize him again in a better facility.

Any advice is appreciated! Thank you.

I think you should ask the doctors who are treating him, about his medications and whether or not you should "humor" him, and try to get yourself up to speed on whatever his diagnosis is. My experience has only been with someone who refused treatment, but "humoring" -- by that I mean letting the ill person call the shots (in conversation and basically everything else) just did not work. If you are wondering if you have done the right thing by hospitalizing your son, I think you have.

[madisgram]

hi dad, welcome. meds for bipolar take about 21-30 days to become theraputic. so give it time to see results. on the other hand it takes time to see what works. sometimes multiple meds are tried for the best result. it's very wise of you to have gotten him help so soon.
as for how to deal with his mood. it's difficult to give you an answer since he seems to be rapid cycling at this time. this site may help:
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorde...polar-disorder
this does not mean that his doc can't get it under control. it just takes time. i've been dx'ed bipolar for 21 yrs. now. virtually no episodes or mild since i was on the best meds for me. i stayed in the psych ward for about 40 days so we could be assured my meds worked. for me that was the key for improvement. everyone benefits from different cocktail mixes of meds. i returned to my corporate career. once this is sorted out he'll probably do well and can resume his studies and have a quite normal life. i hope this reassures you somewhat. keep us posted on how you both are doing. we're here for you.
you may want to post in the "bipolar forum" too. lots of us there.

[Dadofbp]

Thank you very much. That helps a lot. I am going to take him to a good hospital this week although he does not know it. He is getting only a little better and he wants to self medicate with marijuana and it is very hard to keep him cooped up. He does not live with me.

I can see with time he will get straightened out but he needs intensive care right now.

I have to drive in a car 5 hours with him so I guess for now I will keep him calm until I get him to the dr and hospital. Politics is his obsession. He thinks he is being groomed to be president and things like he debt crisis make him incredibly agitated.

Thanks again. Your post was very helpful.

[Dadofbp]

Thank you !