Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

Posted on Fri, 15 Jul 2016

Question: In a nut shell my 40 year old son lives with his dad, we are divorced however son is bipolar etc spent time in jail and prison. His dad has been locked out of his apt. Due to my son blaming us for the outcome of his life.
How we were terrible parents I might add his brother is a Sargent in the local police dept. go figure.
The police cannot do anything at this point and we don't want him back in jail. Then his dad doesn't
want son roaming the streets. The dad, my ex husband has been staying at my apt. I don't want him here but he'll have nowhere to go except to sleep in his car. Would really love to have son evaluated and a stay somewhere where he can get the much needed help. Son very smart, intelligent but need direction that he feels he cannot get from us. Other son says he's just playing us and we know it .........
Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. Son is also XXXXXXX and this small town really does not tolerate that lifestyle.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

This is a very difficult situation. There is only so much you can do for someone who does not want psychiatric treatment. If you feel he presents a danger to himself (his not eating is sufficient evidence of this), you can call 911 and have the police bring him to the emergency room. A psychiatrist there could involuntarily commit him to a hospital for psychiatric treatment. If the police do not want to take him to the hospital, or the psychiatrist does not feel he is a danger, there is unfortunately nothing you can do to get him help -- he will have to seek it out himself.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (15 minutes later)

Dr. Sheppe,
Thank you for responding to my question. Son needs heavy duty councelling cause as I said he's blaming his dad and I for his "rotten" life. We are responsible for him being the way he is. Plus he wants his dad to get another apt. Outside of town. He ,by his own account , cannot be around people not even to go shopping. He feels that everyone is watching him"........ As I said he has locked his dad out of apt. Which his dad pays rent for. This has been 2 weeks now. Police will not take him to hospital and if they tried they'd need to put him in a straight jacket.
As a kid he was very tidy and always wanted to keep bathroom clean along with his room. Now the apt. Looks like a bomb had it it
Any further help greatly appreciated...... XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
He is likely having a bipolar manic episode. I would call the police and tell them he is a danger to himself, as he cannot currently take care of himself. He needs to be taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. By the way, we don't use straightjackets -- those are only in movies.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (8 minutes later)

The straight jacket was in frustration to the situation as I see him as being very combative.
I see you're at Presbyterian hospital......we are Scottish Presbyterian. I've lived here for 45 years. So now I feel I've found my doctor.
Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I hope you are able to convince the police to take your son to the hospital. Please feel free to reach out to me at my private link below for questions or advice at any time.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee