my sister is bipolar and takes advantage

[Al6086]

Im 26 years old, educated and successful.  My sister is 22 and has bipolar disorder, a moderate form, yet she has failed at everything she has attempted and can't even keep a retail job.  My concern is she has learned to use her condition to her advantage.  She uses it to take advantage of my parents, her friends, and honestly me.  I'm not upset because over my life I have excepted my sister as a liar and manipulative.  The thing is..for me and my older brother growing up my parents were always loving, but were sturn/firm parents.  They let my sister get away with everything, mainly because I feel they don't understand her condition and are afraid of harming her.  I can remember multiple times beong punished for her hurting herself, and my dad assumed my brother and I had hurt her...and her not telling the truth and letting us get punished....I have a close adult relationship with my parents, in which we share advice with each other.  I am there financial advisor and manage all their assets.  My sister has my dads credit card and continues to blow through his money.  He finally became fed up and asked her to move home.....but since has fallen victim to her lies once again...she wants to go back to school (exactly what he wants to hear)...so he gets her a new car, promises to pay her tuition and all expenses, etc.....as someone with multiple degrees that my parents have helped with (via tuition only!  Grad school only partial) they will just say "we did it for you" if I bring it up....how can I help my parents understand they are being used, while more importantly helping them understand my sister needs help without them getting upset with me?  I truly love my sister and want her to grow up!  And I want my parents to stop tip toeing around her and treating her like an adult....

[CRSeaside]

NAMI friends & family is a great idea. Also DBSA web site.
You're a smart girl. The more you learn about bipolar disorder the better you can protect & enlighten your parents.
Since the goal is to have her independent & happy, strive for that. Your emotions being her sister, are different than the parent/child emotions.
  Plus, it's a disorder, unless you suffer it, is extremely hard to understand. The right combinations of medications, therapy & healthy lifestyle will work.

[ILADVOCATE]

  Her difficulty at being able to function as regards
employment can be part of bipolar for some people
depending on how it effects them. Also for a certain
number of people with bipolar but by no means
all emotional manipulation can occur as a behavior pattern.
  Right now is she seeing a psychiatrist
and on medication? If not that would be an essential first step.
If you are their financial advisor it would be worthwhile
to discuss this with them so any issues
as regards financial manipulation could
be addressed.. However although she does
not have a right to engage in this behavior
its important to treat it like a symptom.
That doesn't mean at any
time emotional manipulation or
other manipulative behavior is acceptable.
Its how to deal with it. NAMI friends
and family members support groups can provide
helpful information and coping tips for people experiencing
the same issues.