My brother is only 20 years old and I am 23. He does not want to let my parents know about this. I am still studying as an undergraduate. My brother is a medical student in his second year. He is currently getting treatment in his university's hospital. He had been in and out from the hospital many times in the past 3 weeks. He does not like to stay in the hospital and always wants me to sign him out from the hospital. What can I do to help him? Should I inform my parents? Can he continue on his study?
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Q: My brother was recently been diagnosed with biopolar disoder. What can I do to help him?
Answers (4)
1/14/09 10:29am
Hi yin,
Sounds like you are both going through a bit of a time! Let's start by separating the issues out. He doesn't want your parents to know - do you know why? I guess as a 20 year old your brother has every right to his privacy, but I'm curious as to the extent that this might be significant. Does your brother feel he might be letting his parents down? What exactly are the consequences of letting them know? I know you can't answer these questions here and now, but any added stress by speculating on what might or might not happen may be adding to an already difficult time. Is is possible that just perhaps the reaction might not be what he thinks it is?
The fact that your brother puts pressure on you to sign him out of hospital is a different issue. By the sounds of things he clearly needs treatment. I think it places you in a difficult position but my intuition is that you both need to be guided by the experts at the hospital.
What can you do to help him? Well, the number one thing is support and understanding. Knowledge of course (for him and you) can help a lot. On this site, for example, you might be interested in starting with, Advice for Someone Recently Diagnosed with Bipolar. Dr Jamison provides a video on the most important things to ask your doctor. There are some other good resources in the Just Diagnosed section.
I don't think there is any set order for these things, but your availability, advice, emotional and practical support will all be useful for your brother.
Hope this helps a little
1/15/09 8:13pm
I understand how difficult this is for you both. You should, by no means break your brothers trust by telling your parents. However, he should not make you bear the burden of relying just on you for support. You should encourage him to talk to your parents and/or a friend or Spiritual confidant. I would also tell him that you don't feel right about checking him out of the hospital if this is done AMA (Against Medical advice). Espescially with the fact that he's been in and out of the hospital many times.
It takes time and trial and error to stablize the moods. I would also encourage a support group,like NAMI. You could go with him if you both feel comfortable. You could also give him this Bipolar link. There are also many books regarding BP disorder that incompass both him and family members. You both have quite a challenge and it will be difficult and schooling as well. Good luck to you all.
2/ 7/09 9:48am
I am Bipolar and been so for almost a year. The most imporant thing you need to do now is to support your Brother, through thick and thin, He may be stubborn, difficult, He may annoy you, Be with Him until th eright mood stabilisers are found that will work welll with him. Support him.
When He gets over it and accepts his condition He might , and very likey he will, dislose to parents. All the best
2/ 7/09 9:59am
I am Bipolar and been so for almost a year. The most imporant thing you need to do now is to support your Brother, through thick and thin, He may be stubborn, difficult, He may annoy you, Be with Him until th eright mood stabilisers are found that will work welll with him. Support him.
When He gets over it and accepts his condition He might , and very likey he will, dislose to parents. All the best
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By yin— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 01/14/09
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