Hmmm. It's funny that you wrote this, "If she does not want to get help, can you cut ties with her? I would recommend it. Even though I am bipolar I will not put up with that type of behavior in others. I need to take care of me! Anyhow, I had a friend that is also bipolar and when I found out she was not taking her meds and using drugs and alcohol, I cut ties with her. She was starting to become violent in her life and I was not going to put up with it. She did not want help"........ And you yourself are polar.
THIS IS NOT A BASHING! I AM NOT A TROLL.
Your comment raised my interest because I am also bi-polar. I just received diagnosis at 26 however I was diagnosed Manic Depressive at 10. (I guess somewhere between my lack of doctor appointments, MD became the same as BP..who knows.) N-E way, Since learning of my new diagnosis, I have been shown symptoms of mania and realize the multiple times I have been in it. At the current time, I am very unstable. I yell and scream for something as stupid as forgetting cheese at the store. I can take off in a minutes notice to ride in my car for hours with the intent thought that once I run out of gas, I'll hitch a ride with a truck driver across the United States and I then hope to myself the driver is a good looking man as my sex drive is not at a very normal drive you would say.. (Very high!!)
--> Being told, I'm in Mania right now.
Have you been manic before? I ask this because although sometimes I have control over my actions and my thoughts, when I'm in desperate moments like I describe above, I have no control and at that particular moment there is not other options nor do I have the mental capacity at that time to explain myself out of my decisions or actions.
I SEE CUTTING OFF AN INDIVIDUAL BIPOLAR FRIEND/FAMILY MEMBER TO BE.. One of the worst things a friend or family member could do to that person. Once again, no hard feelings Crystlas but in this last horrific episode I am currently trying to endure; my family has disowned me, I've lost my children, I may loose my DH of 4 years and well, the original posters story closely resembles my own with a few small tweaks in between.
Suzy:
If Suzy34's friend is feeling anything like I do; she is hopeless, scared, angry, lost, confused; you name it, I'm certain she is feeling it. The crazy thing is that when you suddenly hit a string of feeling really good and you go on these power trips of new beginnings, new jobs, new ideas (Hence: her new found calling to Buddhism); you have no understanding that you may simply be still dwelling in a mental mania. Therefore in my humble opinion, (based on looking at my own personal past history), it is very easy for a person with BP to make very drastic and extreme changes and decisions in their life that may effect themselves and others negatively but when suddenly switched to that of an elated mood and sudden brainstorms of how to save the world, a BP individual can easily loose sight of how badly they need their medications. They do not have a clear picture of the world around them and it is the sane family members and friends who in a very cautious, understanding and caring way, will need to re-paint the real picture in front of them.
Losing everyone I love over this has been detrimental. I am just as mad at my actions and scared as they are but unfortunately it's very hard for the outside world to see that the sane, loving "you" is still living inside your body.
Suzy:
I would suggest continuing to be supportive and offer up suggestions or ideas on occasion but never be pushy. When she reacts in ways that are not like her or in ways that push you to believe she is bipolar; stay strong, stay calm and offer compassion with a dose of truth here or there. She doesn't know what is occurring and is probably viewing all that is happening as something she is just doing because if she's like me; you can't tell when you are being Manic, reacting incorrectly or losing control. Somewhere down the road, she will hit a point where she notices the harm to others and when she has finally lost them; the pain itself of simply having no prior perception, the pain of losing those you love and the pain of having no self control when the moments hit can be almost unbearable. I've had to ask DH to hide all sleep meds from me just in case I have a really bad day due to missing those I love that I feel I lost due to no fault of my own....... My brains fault maybe, but not one I was conscious of
When bipolar individuals get off their meds and get highly manic they have very unusual behavior. I suggest finding out if she will go in for help, she sounds highly manic. A lot of bipolars like mania and the feeling of not having a care in the world. I, on the other hand, love to be stable. I like being even kilter and am finally getting stable, but had a very rough year after my diagnosis with getting the right medications for my condition. If bipolars are not taking meds or on the wrong meds stability is VERY difficult to acheive. If she does not want to get help, can you cut ties with her? I would recommend it. Even though I am bipolar I will not put up with that type of behavior in others. I need to take care of me! Anyhow, I had a friend that is also bipolar and when I found out she was not taking her meds and using drugs and alcohol, I cut ties with her. She was starting to become violent in her life and I was not going to put up with it. She did not want help, BTW! Hope this helps some! Take care and good luck with your situation.
She definatly needs to go into care asap. she is exhibiting very bi polar behavior but only a psychiatrist would be able to evaluate her. I will keep her in my prayers that she gets help soon.
Love Venora