You try to help! I hate that. I’ve experienced it- believe me. It’s like tip toeing around a mean animal on some days and then they are fine like a teddy bear on others. It’s part of the illness in many ways:
Denial – My friend Janea says, “There is not such thing as denial, Julie. There is ignoring, lying to yourself and stubbornness, but there is no denial.”
She means that when a person gets hopping mad when you mention their behavior and are then able to hear what you say on other days- they are either sick and are not able or won’t control their moods, or they know exactly what you’re talking about and just don’t want to deal with it.
So, DENIAL when it goes back and forth is a river in Egypt!
Unfortunately, there is a true symptom of the illness, especially in schizophrenia where people simply can’t see they have a mental illness. The difference between this and what I’m talking about above is that these people truly CAN’T see they’re sick, even to the point of their own harm.
So, if you love someone who is hot and cold, they can often control it much better than you think!
Related posts: Get it Done When You’re Depressed Radio/Podcast Interview | Can The Health Cards work when a person with bipolar disorder refuses to get help? | Normal Worn Out vs. Bipolar Disorder Worn Out |
Control-being able to control your behavior- is a complicated question. I tell my ten year old she is allowed to have emotions, recognize her emotions, but she has to control her behavior.
Sometimes people who are in denial about their mental illness are afraid a doctor will control their mood and do a worse job than they do themselves. What if the medications make them worse? What if the urge to commit suicide is worse on antidepressants(which is common knowledge happens sometimes)?
If you are trying to help, try to find out what the person is afraid of- loss of control, turning into the relative that died in a mental hospital, forced treatment, electroshock therapy, stigma/loss of job, whatever.
I have bipolar disorder with rapid cycling, and was diagnosed about 10 years ago. I’ve been on tons of drugs, and had a course of ECT this summer. I’m doing ok, but every day is a challenge.
I’m writing because I have a very strong family history of mood disorders. I am particularly concerned about my father. He’s always shown all the signs of bipolar, but recently has been behaving very erratically. He wants to run for mayor of his town. He almost gave away his apartment to a homeless person. He drinks like a fish. Any of these in isolation would be a little strange, maybe, but together they form what I like to call a “constellation of impulsivity”. I confronted him about his state of health, and told him I was really concerned that he had untreated bipolar disorder. I want him to get help before he hits rock bottom, as I have a few times. He’s in denial. I am so lost as to what to do.