[arose2487]

My Dad was diagnosed with Bipolar scizophrenia a long time ago when I was young and now I feel like it is getting worse. He is having trouble holding jobs and paying his bills. I am getting concerned that he would harm himself. My sister and I cannot talk to him about it because he says that he is not "crazy" so he does not need help and he will not take medicine for it. I do not know what I should do to help him since he does not want the help.

[faerie_moon_x]

Unfortunately, if he refuses help and he isn't trying to harm himself or anyone, then there isn't much you can do. Basically you get told that the person is an adult and can make their own decision. Sometimes I think this is the right attitude and other times not. I think it should be on a case by case basis more, but it isn't unfortunately.

[Wayfarer25]

dark_heart_x is right. if there's no chance for him harming himself or others you can't force any kind of treatment on him. however, i do have a good resource for you to look at. it's on my reading list and is supposed to be very good.

it's called:

I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! How to help someone with mental illness accept treatment.

written by: Xavier Amadour, PhD.

http://www.amazon.com/Someone-Illnes...995627-4817508

Many times family members of an affected individual, love them a lot. They depend on this person for many things. They do not understand the illness. Unlike physical ailments, which can be improved by medical procedures, mental illnesses are of a completely different nature. An opposite nature.

This of course, forces the solution onto the opposite end of the spectrum as well. This terrifies family members because they are not confident in their ability to understand the person anymore.

They many times reject or abandon the person, for many different reasons. Your dad is a wonderful man. Your love for him shows. Be understanding of his needs. He is your father. You are not his guardian, he is yours. This scares you I am certain to some degree. Realize that this is not a tragic event.

It is an event that will change everyone's lives. Accept it. Know that mental illness has never in history ever been "cured" by medication and psychotherapy. If that were possible....the world would be a very different place.

Don't allow the stigma attatched to this news crush all of your worldly hopes and goals. It should not have that power over you my friend. Check back when you have time and update us to the way you all have been getting along so far. Your friend, Glinda Gail