I would like to know if this is something I should pursue, please let me know your thoughts. My brother appears to be bipolar... depression, rages over nothing. It has been this way for a long time. He has always been extremely emotional and was a "wild-child". Since his late teens, he's had a lot of anger and aggression that seems to have progressively worsened and I’m the one that takes the full brunt of it all. One minute he’s fine and the next he’s flying off the handle at the most mundane things. At this time, while he's still being very mean, he seems depressed. It’s almost like he finds things to argue about and tells stories to have the outcome turn out the way he wants it to. He is a diabetic and I know if his sugars are out of whack it could cause this, believe me I’ve lived through this. But his diabetes is under control and he checks it constantly after his last scare.

I know there is no easy way to confront someone when they don't even think they have problems. I realize that he is an adult even though he acts like a child at times. I just don’t think I can take much more of his verbal abuse and something has to give.

I don’t know whether this is bipolar disorder or not, he needs to get some help. How do you tell someone so volatile that you think they may have a mood disorder? How do you tell someone you love that he might need professional help?

Hi,
You can't talk to him if he is hyper and up and volatile.
The best chance usually to talk to someone about seeing a psychiatrist is when they are down. When people are down, they are more likely to WANT help.

He might not have bipolar. In any case, he could benefit from seeing a GP for a good check up and a psychiatrist so he has info about what is going on with him.

Check out www.nami. --> National Alliance on Mental Illness
They offer help for families.

M.

Your brother sounds very much like me several months ago... various mood swings, flying off the handle, screaming, ranting, raging...

I didn't know it at the time...but I was doing these things for no realistic reason.

The best thing that happened to me.... my best friends called the doctor at the local mental health hospital, made an appointment for me for the same day, and told me I was going... I had a choice not to go but if I made that choice---their choice was to no longer be in any part of my life...ever.


I can whole heartedly say... they saved my life and I am forever thankful to them for this. No... I didn't feel that way at first or even for several weeks to months.

Now I'm not saying I am healed because I am not... but I am on my way to feeling better.

I pray your brother gets the help he needs... he may not even realize that he needs help.

Big hugs to you for being so caring.

Abbie

My brother, now departed...God rest his soul,,was bi-polar.

Trust your instincts....you may offer him help..he may reject it...but keep trying

Mari made a good point. Talk to him when he's down about getting help instead of hyper.

barbara

when he gets that way just wait for him to calm down it may take a while but he will eventualy calm down enough for you to talk to him about seing a doctor