lil sis has bipolar

[AmandaLynn1288]

My little sister (she's 12) has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was triggered by epilepsy... so it is not something that she has always had. It's really hard because she used to be so good, and now she is mean, disruptive, angry, and irritable. It's even harder because she knows that she is being disruptive, but not until after the fact. I was just wondering if anybody had any tips on how to deal with her without making her even more angry. Any advice would help! Thanks so much! God bless!!
~Amanda~

 

[xMMKayx3]

give her her time when she is angry.
when my dad gets like that, i'll let him have his space.

 

[Mrs.Sidhe]

When I start getting angry or whatever my husband just gives me some space to cool down.

Try to talk to her when she is not in an angry mood, just don't all of a sudden assume she isn't good anymore because of this illness because it will make her feel worse, and she doesn't need that kind of thinking right now.

Is she on medications? Does she have access to a therapist so she can talk about her feelings/problems?

 

[Pats]

My sister and I are both bipolar, although she suffers more from anger than myself.

There is nothing that I can say to my sister when she is angry other than, as these smart ladies have said, to give her space and time to chill out. In a fairly short amount of time, she can become much more level headed if she gets the chance to just decompress herself a bit and regroup her thoughts.

 

[Alive again]

Excellent advice!!! I am bp as is my son and was my Dad and space when angry and timing to talk when things are colled down is key!!!

Also know that with meds and therapy the angry times will decrease dramatically.

It is hard enough during the teenage years and with all the emotions, changes and hormones!! When you throw bp on top of it, it can be a challenge. My dtr liken it to living in a "war zone" when my son was going through these years.

Find out for yourself, healthy ways to deal with conflict, and pick your time right, athough know that the anger can come out of anywhere over anything, big or little and may not make any sense at all. That is the illness, not your sister. The best thing you can do is be healthy yourself and learn about healthy boundaries!!! You will be hurt by some of the things that happen, esp when your sis is angry, but recognize that and allow yourself your feelings as well. You do not have to be your sister caretaker. You can be healthy through this and develop a healthy relationship with your sister. So look for the good times and enjoy them! But your job is to take care of yourself.

Also remember that she is probably scared, in denial and everything else all mixed up, and in bp these type of feelings can snowball out of control. But ultimately, your sister must learn to accept this illness and how best to cope with it. Only your sister can truly help herself.

I encouraged my daughter (not bp) to see a counselor herself to help in coping with her brother and his illness. I do think it was helpful for her, so you might consider that as well.

Blessings and prayers!!!

 

[AmandaLynn1288]

Thanks so much! I'm sure that everything ya'll said was so right... because I have noticed that it does make it easier when I just leave her alone while she's mad! Anyways, she does have a therapist... but they haven't put her on medication yet. She is supposed to go sometime next week, and I think that they are going to do that then. Again, thanks so much! God bless!!