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Originally Posted by sweetr72  I am looking to find someone who might be living with someone who is bi-polar and wont get help for it? What if anything have you done to convince them they need help...I am certain that my common law is and if he dosent go and find help I am going to have to leave him...the low lows are really ruining MY quality of life and I have lived with this for soooo long...he wont go for help or an evaluation even...has anyone here been in my shoes??
Dawn |
I am soo sorry to hear about what you are going thru. I know it can be very difficult and very stressful. I have just gone thru something very similiar, and yes, there is something you can do.
My dad has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Depression and severe anxiety. He has been very sick like this for many years. And he would not and could not leave the house to get help. About 4 years ago, after about 10 days of begging and pleading with him to get help, he finally got in the car and we got him to the hospital. It was terrible. My dad had lost almost 40 lbs, wasn't eating, not showering, just not taking care of himself. But he got help. (LOng story short...) About 6 monthes later, he decided that since he was feeling better, he could just get off his meds. Against the doctors orders, and all. He did well for about 3 years...til this past June.
He fell right back into his depression, and again, was not taking care of himself. He basically stated that he wanted to die instead of living in this constant fear he was feeling again. So I begged and begged again, and nothing. This time, I knew he wouldn't get help. So thats when I got help.
I called Adult Protective Services, and they were a great start. Its under Valley counseling. I am sure your city or town has something similiar. But since he wasn't an imminent threat to himself or to someone else, there wasn't anything legally they could do. But they gave me a name of a lawyer to call who specializes in this. I did. He met with me, and had me go to the Family counceling offices, and I had to file an affidavid...(spelling???) about my father. I told them everything that had been going on. So from there, they sent me straight over to the probate court to get an order of detention, for the Sherriff's deputies to actually go pick up my father, and transport him to the hospital. Which was granted right away. He had no choice then at this point to get help.
The Sheriff's showed up at his house, and thank god my dad came out willingly, but if he would not have. they would have had to actually break into the house and basically arrest him.
But...he got to the hospital...that was the most imprtant thing. My lawyer was the one who put me in contact with the doctor who would then admit him, and be taking care of him.
So I say, call a lawyer. Give them the info about your common law. Its a start, but there are ways to get them the help they need. My father was very upset with me at fisrt, and now 6 weeks later, he is thanking me. I have actually taken things further, and took him to court, to get guardianship of him. Its in his best interest. This way, I know he cannot go off his meds, and of he does, all I have to do is call the ambulance, and they take him back to the hospital.
Do what ever it takes. THere are places to call....such as that valley counceling, family services, adult protective services, lifelines, look in the phone book....I did. I called, and this time it was so much easier. If only I knew then what I know now. It also takes alot of time for them to get to be almost normal.
I hope things work out for you. But if you love this person, try everything you can to get them help. The longer they are without help, the further down they get, and the tougher it is to climb back up.
If you have any questions or need anyhting, please feel free to PM me.
This is actually the 1st time I have talked about this publically. But if I can help someone out, then it is worth it.
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.....