General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Any suggestion on dealing with a bi polar sibling? [View all]gwheezie
(3,580 posts)I would also suggest neuro-psych testing. I don't know if she meets criteria for a 72 hour hold, each state has different laws, you might want to contact the agency that services the mentally ill in your county or city in case you need to get her help fast.
As far as the testing, you might want to appeal to her intelligence and curiosity in a calmer moment. I have bi polar relatives, some were initially misdiagnosed and therefore did not get the appropriate treatment, so it would be very important to her to have an accurate diagnosis. It sounds like she is open to hearing a difficult diagnosis, it indicates to me she knows something isn't quite right, also there may be something organic going on, I might approach it that way. I've had more than a few patients who presented with manic like behavior who turned out to have thyroid disorders. Also if she is on medication for depression, she may need it adjusted if she is having manic episodes. It's interesting the doctor found some structural abnormality on the scan, has she ever had a head injury? All these questions can be answered with a more thorough work up.
As far as her behavior, it's hard to step back when you are dealing with someone who is attacking you with irrational thinking, you feel the need to correct her thinking. It's hard to do but I would avoid engaging in her tirades, if she is borderline it winds up being sucked into the black hole of her drama. I have had this experience several times, you can feel it happening. Sometimes the hardest thing is to step back, let the person know you will listen to them but not listen to attacks on yourself and you will speak to them later.