How do you help a bipolar person when they won't help themselves?

Answer 1

That is a job for a mental health professional. Unless you are qualified to make psychological diagnoses, you do not even know for sure what the problem is. If they refuse to see someone, and are not a danger to themselves or others, there is not much that you can do except offer support and try not to add to their stress.

If they are endangered, contact your local mental health association for advice.

Answer 2

If you cannot afford a psychiatrist and medications, try other things such as meditation, vitamins (chromium, magnesium, Vitamin D, DHEA, Stresstabs), acupuncture, hypnosis, cold showers, or most importantly, exercise. Make sure the bipolar person is well hydrated and avoids caffeine. Do everything and anything you can. Research different ways people have cured their depression, because a lot of weird things tend to work for different people (cold showers and DHEA have helped me whereas no medications have).

Answer 3

If someone with Bi-Polar Disorder is of imminent danger to themselves or others, one can have them involuntarily committed to a "Crisis Stabilization Unit" for a 72-Hour evaluation. One can go to a local Court house or local police and file what is called an "Ex Parte". A judge reviews the report and determines if the person needs an involuntary commitment. If it is determined that an involuntary commitment is necessary, the local sheriff's or police department will locate the individual and bring them to the closest CSU or in-patient psychiatric facility.

If the person is actively "acting out" in inappropriate ways, (demonstrating that they are of danger to their self or others), the police can be called. If they observe the dangerous behavior, they can facilitate the "commitment".

If someone has this disorder and is refusing to obtain help, (i.e., refusing to take their medications or to see a psychiatrist), it is unlikely that the person will change their mind. Typically, they have to see that their difficulties are interfering with their activities of daily living and have to want to have assistance.

It may be helpful to enlist the assistance of that person's friend(s) and family members, with all giving him/her feedback about their behaviors, showing their support, encouraging him//her to see a psychiatrist. If the person has a relationship with a minister or priest or doctor, asking either of them to be of help can be a possible solution.

People who have a distinct Bi-Polar Disorder commonly will not seek help. If they are experiencing mania, they tend to like this feeling.