How to help a Father in Denial

[Anni123]

Any advise you can give me is greatly appreciated. My entire family believes my father is bipolar 1. He was recently prescribed bipolar medication and he took it for 24 hours and then quit claiming he didn't like it. We really want to help him but we don't know how as he doesn't think he needs help as he says he could rule the world right now. (He came out of an 18 month bout of depression about 5 months ago) and has been manic/ aggressive ever since. He has lost his inhibitors- so we are scared of what will come out of his mouth next. Nasty things, TOTALLY inappropriate things and lies too. Please help. Thank you in advance

[CRSeaside]

Try to concentrate on your mom's well being for now.  You know with sick people, they first must make up their own mind. We can't do it for them. No matter how much we love the way they used to act. Hang in there. Maxy

[Anni123]

That's so sad about your dad. My dad too is a very heavy drinker which I'm sure isn't helping things. I just want my old dad back- but he just wants to rule the world and call us all mentally unhinged:(

[CRSeaside]

I understand Anni. My Dad was a different person when drinking. It got so bad that I divorced myself from him. That's how I looked at it. He was sexually aggressive to me & I had to run away. Looking back it may have been he was medicating w alcohol & probably bipolar too.
  It's sad really. I was unable for the last 10 years of his life to be with him.
  I'm glad you found a way to help your mom. Maxy

[Anni123]

Hi there
He is not physically abusive just verbally- buts it's really bad.
So bad that my mother threatened to end her life as she could not take it any more.
I should back up a bit and explain that they life in the uk and I live in the us  so on hearing this news I got my mum a flight here to stay with me just before thanksgiving. Dad arrived here a week before Christmas and it was a disaster. They decided to separate whilst here and after his TOTALLY unacceptable behavior I had to ask him to leave and he flew back to the uk. It was horrible. I love him dearly but he won't accept that he is sick and the things he was saying we're just horrible beyond all belief

[CRSeaside]

Hi. Is your father a danger to himself or others? Not just being vocal. But really dangerous. If so, he will be hospitalized. Call 911
  Try not to think ahead. As Crystal has said, the Psychiatrists in hospitals aren't stupid. They've seen it all.
   If your father had access to medicine and therapy that helped him to feel good, well that would be great.
  For a free support group go to NAMI or DBSA. They have groups for family & friends of a bipolar sufferer. You will learn a lot. Best of luck. Maxy

[Anni123]

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

[Crystal413]

Your dad is not alone with this type of personality. Dr's are aware of this. Especially with the familys input. Maybe the dr's will see right thru him and maybe not. You won't know until you try. When you are there involuntary, you not only have to be seen by the hospital/county pscy person in order to leave, but your dr has to agree to release you and you go in front of a panel at the hospital with a real judge if the dr says you need to stay longer. That's the way it works where I live. Have faith in the system and the dr's. Like I said it's worth a try and I don't see anything to loose. Good luck.

[Anni123]

Thanks for your comment Crystal. The problem with my Dad is he is a very smart man. I have already thought of 51/50 him and believe they would take him - however once there he would manipulate people and get released before being properly evaluated. He has manipulated people all his life. I feel helpless

[Crystal413]

It's hard to convince someone to get help when they see nothing wrong. It's the bipolar mind thought process I believe is happening to him. It's hard to say how long the mania will last and his aggression concerns me too. When I read your post the very first thing that came to me was that he needs to be in a pscy ward. Not only will he get help with meds but maybe having dr's there to explain his illness and help him to understand the whole med process will sink in. I doubt he will go willingly so a family member would need to bring him involuntary. An extreme measure is having the police do it. The main thing at this point is to make sure he isn't a danger to himself or others.