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Hi all, I have been on meds for 18 years and I'm doing very well. My brother has sought medical advice sporadically but does not seem to understand what his depression,unemployment and unbridled spending is doing to his own family. My dad is also known for his mercurial mood swings yet no one is willing to challenge him and question whether he should be diagnosed and medicated. My family is happy to have me as the designated patient since I'm Bipolar I. Should I just take care of myself and leave it, or jump in and at least try to help my brother?
My son was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My dad has shown symptoms for years but doesn't believe in medication or psychiatrists or anything like that. It's tough to put a label like that on someone. We ignored the symptoms in our child for years until he attempted suicide. Now he's properly diagnosed and put on meds that make him feel a whole lot better. You can take care of yourself and you can tell your brother you see signs in him and you can ask him to check into it but it's something he's going to have to accept on his own. Some people, like my dad, live for years and suffer the consequences of their mood swings. 2 out of 3 children don't even talk to him anymore because of his emotional and irrational outbursts. You can love someone and want help for them but it won't be effective until they accept it for themselves and seek help.
Jump in and try to help. But if he gets violent or ridiculously angry, just stop and tell him you love him and if he cares about his family he will take care of himself. Then walk away.
