Questions

[AmyluvsBears]

Hi,
I do have a question. What do I do, as a pastor's wife, for someone that is bipolar. We have someone at our church that is bipolar, but seems unwilling to follow doctor's advice. They don't take their medicine as prescribed, taking too much at times. They have gotten angry at my husband and myself for trying to understand. They are disruptive during services, and very disrespectful to everyone. They call my home several times per day. My children are afraid of them. I don't want to turn them away, but it is seriously affecting all aspects of the church. How do you handle this?
Thanks.

 

[berry2000]

Sounds like a little more than bipolar disorder going on there. Wow. That's a hard one. If they don't want to be helped yet keep reaching out for it in disruptive ways. Perhaps a meeting to talk this will make them feel important without being disruptive. Give them some treatment ideas and perhaps reccommend some therapist. Perhaps someone could even go with the to the first one. Something like that. See if a little attention will quiet things down a bit.

Just a thought. But really it is a hard one.

 

[goldenviolet]

our church would try very hard to help them get grounded (stable)... surround them with resources of support. professionals too. then: limit their behavior by setting firm boundies. do not let them continue to disrupt services or family. loving firmness and support... all in balance. our church has the staff take on certain roles... and exspose the member in need to a family like situation. (dad, mom, brother, sister, friend, accountability partner, etc.). ~ love dee

 

[rushingwind62]

It is hard to help someone who is not on the meds properly, because they are very emotional and at times psychotic. All you can really do is try to encourage them to take thier meds or to get help through hospitalazation . You can't force them to go to the hospital, there is no legal ground for it. But If they are threatening bodily harm or threatening to harm someone you can call the police and they will take them to the hospital. You may want to call the police since your children feel threatened and explain the situation to them and see if they can help. My prayers are with you.....Rush

 

[berry2000]

I agree with Dee. That is a good model of what a church should do.

 

[DoubtingThomas29]

This disruptive person should be collecting disablity, maybe that would help him to stay out of trouble?

Good luck with whatever you do, if your afraid of him you might want to talk to a lawyer and he or she can explain to you how to get like a restraining order aginst him. Hopefully though he just needs meds and a disability check.