How to deal with someone with BIPOLAR DISORDER?

[AviatorTom]

A good friend of mine has asked me for advice on how to deal with his wife, who started to have wild mood swings a few months ago. One moment she'll be yelling and screaming at him, blaming him for everything... "I hate you!"; a few moments later she'll be calm and loving. They are both in their 60s and he believes that she may be suffering from BIPOLAR DISORDER.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

I've never dealt with someone who is bipolar and don't know what to say. I've suggested medical or psychiatric help, but she won't agree to any of that.

Has anyone dealt with someone who is bipolar? If so, how do you handle it?

[CrazyGirl2]

Bipolar disorder doesn’t present like that, it’s not a “one minute this, then another minute that” kind of thing. A manic phase can last days, and the depressive stage can last weeks or even months. Whatever her problem is, it needs to be properly diagnosed by a psychiatrist, not for anonymous strangers on the internet to opine over! Nobody should EVER attempt to diagnose someone based on their subjective experience in dealing with the person. Or their objective opinion of their symptoms. It can take 11, 12, or more years of direct specific education in medicine, and then to specialize. Just to be at the very beginning stage of being able to start diagnosing people with medical or psychiatric disorders. She needs professional help, not the opinions of strangers.

[CrazyGirl2]

Thank you so much for the MHO. I truly appreciate every single one. Also I would like to know if your friends wife has agreed to look for medical or therapeutic help or not. Please, do let me know via DM if you learn anything.

[Amy10223]

If she is in her 60's, I don't think it's bipolar disorder. That begins in early life, as in your teens or later. But if I were the husband, I'd have a talk with the woman's doctor and explain her mood swings. It sounds to me as if it might be Alzheimers. People with this have personality changes. My Mom was diagnosed with it, but she never went through that. Ask your friend how her memory been. if it's not been good, then that's what I'd suspect but then it can be a dozen other things and only tests could bring out what it really is.

[OlderAndWiser]

If she IS truly bipolar, there is no dealing with it other than putting some distance between yourself and the bipolar person. BUT. . . bipolar disorder rarely manifests itself for the first time when someone is in their 60's. This behavior could be a symptom of medical problems and she should have a thorough exam to rule out potential physical causes.

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for MHO!

[ArrowheadSW]

Odds are it is not bipolar because bipolar normally doesn't switch over so rapidly like that at all. And it shows up MUCH earlier in life than in someone's 60's normally. But this does sound serious none the less. She needs counseling at a minimum. Hopefully she will agree eventually.

[exitseven]

I dated a girl a long time ago that may have been bi polar. She definitely had something going on. She was abused as a kid by her parents and older brother. Every few weeks she would go off the rails. Sometimes she would get drunk and abuse me. Once she bit me so hard thst I still have the scar. I would never hit her back, I would just hold her until she calmed down. I wanted her to see a shrink or something and she got angry with me. I never saw her again after that.

[Amy10223]

Poor girl. Sounds like she was very hurt from her past.

[exitseven]

@Amy10223 I really did want to help her. I told her I would go to therapy with her for ad long as it took. She moved out of her apartment and her roommate just said she went to live with friends. I never saw her again.

[Amy10223]

That's sad. She sounds very much like she had developed depression as a result from her past. Some people like this don''t want help. :(

[Red-Blaze]

She should get tested for stuff
That mood swing can point more likely to a diffrent issue
Bipoler rarely show up thst late from what I know

[SnowedIn]

Tom, I don't have any answers for you but I'm sorry your friend is experiencing this; you're a good person to ask.

[melanieeeB]

I personally would be out and don't deal with it again lol She should get professional help

[Iron_Man]

You just gotta deal with it

[TheMoreMiffed]

I really don't know

[Andres77]

Ruuun!

[Anonymous]

I dont.