Bipolar Family Member -- How do we encourage him to seek help?

I've been where he is.  He has to want to seek treatment in order to get it.  The exception to that would be if he's in danger from himself or a danger to others.  Law enforcement may then step in and have him baker acted (committed to a mental health facility involuntarily).  I've been there three times, and although it's unpleasant in the beginning, the help I received was invaluable.  I hope this helps

There is a vast difference between the help you can get from your family doctor and a mental health professional.  The later specializes in correctly diagnosing mental health problems, and has more up to date knowledge on treatment.  I was mis-diagnosed for YEARS and given the wrong types of medication as a result.  Clearly if he has talked to his doctor about this he knows something is wrong.  I suggest applauding him taking the initiative to do something about it but pointing out that perhaps a specialist might have more information.  I finally saw a psychiatrist when my Dr told me that she had done all she knew to do and gave me the name of a mental health professional.

It made a world of difference!

Eventually he'll get the hint..

That he can't lie in bed for weeks on in, and his dirty hair won't phase him..

And from the post it seems he is well aware of his actions.

First thing to try and help him- is to set daily tasks with him..

very

very

very

small

tasks

...overwhelming the guy will keep him and the dirty hair in bed.

ex:

day 1- shower, and feed child

day 2- shower, feed child, and get gas

day 3- shower feed child, get gas, go to park..

and so on...

just don't constantly hound him to get things done..

he is a grown man, and will "get it" eventually..

starting with small tasks will get him moving a little bit,

once he starts doing well with those tasks that are assigned- he's going to crash! =D let him crash- being very positive with him and letting him lie in bed or whatnot isn't "not helping or bad" .. it's actually quite helpful. only the bipolar can get himself outta the funk dah funk!..

encourageing the lil task day to day sheet with them may help him get up and moving, and not overwhelmed so he doesn't keep on shutdown for so long throughout the day. =]