bipolar and lying

[jmor]

i have a 26 yr old son who we believe has bipolar and is the definaition of a pathological liar. things have come to a head and we need to address this with him. im looking for someone who has these same conditions that is on treatment that can tell me how he might feel. i want to understand him and help him.

[Xila31]

The problem here then is that there might not be much you can do if he refuses and says he doesn't have a problem. Drugs are a big issue, I hope he worked that out. The thing about bipolar or any other type of disorder is there really isn't much you can do unless he wants help. You can't force him unless it is ordered by the court.

But things not to say is when he does come to you for help, hopefully he will, don't say things like "just get over it." Or "you're a psyco." Or "why can't you just be normal." Stuff like that. It is very hurtful because a lot of the time we do spiral out of control. You can't just "get over" something like depression or bipolar. Try to trust him when he's having problems. Just let him know you're there. I know it can be hard.  

If he won't see a psychiatrist take him to his regular doctor instead, maybe for a physical. Sometimes stuff just comes out and although a doctor is not psychiatrist they can see if something is wrong and maybe point him in the right direction. The only person who can really start his recovery is your son, though. He has to want it.

[jmor]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING. HE HAS SEEN A PSYCHOLOGIST AS A COURT ORDERED TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR DRUGS. HE SEEMED A LITTLE BETTER AND OPENED UP TO THE COUNSELOR BUT AS SOON AS THE TREATMENT WAS OVER HE LEFT AND WONT GO BACK GE SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE A PROB. SHE DID NOT DIAGNOSE HIM W/BIPOLAR BUT WAS GOING TO FURTHER INTO TREATMENT HAD HE STAYED. WE WANT TO HELP HIM, BUT DONT KNOW HOW TO CONVINCE HIM THAT HE REALLY DOES NEED HELP. ANY SUGGESTIONS, KEY WORDS OR PHRASES TO USE OR NOT TO USE?

[Xila31]

The first thing you can do is get him into a psychologist. My whole life my dad blamed me of being "manipulative" and a "lier" when I tried to get him to help me. To this day I feel completely betrayed by my father and I don't think I will ever forgive him. Nothing hurts more than to know that no one cares and everyone makes you the enemy. I don't know your son, but if you really want to help him then take him to a psychologist or at the very least his doctor and have him tested for bipolar.

Bipolar can do some crazy things to the mind. It can make you paranoid and delusional depending on the severity. Some people have bipolar along with other mental health problems. All of these things could cause him to lie as a defense or self preservation technique. Especially if you have accused him of things, he might not even want to tell you the truth or how he feels. So take him in and hopefully he can get the help he needs far sooner than I did.