to find this creepy?

[TeapotsInJune]

My older brother is staying with us at the moment - he's always been 'eccentric.'

He is currently upstairs, alone, having a loud conversation with himself and roaring with laughter. Not just little giggles but full on belly laughs.

It's weird!

[HeresTheScaryThingBooyhoo]

well whats creepy about talking to yourself? i do it all the time. "oh FFs Booyhoo, spoons in the sink, teabags in the bin! doh!"

[AgentZigzag]

At the risk of being called an armchair psychologist, and since it's been mentioned anyway, has your brother had any contact at all with his GP etc with regards to any mental health problems Teapots?

The talking to myself I do does sound kind of different to what you're describing.

Mine would me more of a 'Oh FFS! Who the fuck left the wet towels on the floor??' - chuntering, rather than chatting/laughing loud enough for someone not in the room to hear it.

[HeresTheScaryThingBooyhoo]

i also burst into spontaneous laughter when i suddenly remember something funny.

[TeapotsInJune]

He does have MH problems but there's quite a bit of denial from family :(

[Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie]

are you in denial?youve described him as creepy,eccentric,weird.
does he have a cpn/any help?do you?

[AgentZigzag]

I agree Cheesey, it's kind of perpetuating the idea that anyone who acts a bit bizarrely because of MN problems is creepy and sinister.

I'm surprised you didn't mention he might have problems in your OP Teapots.

And asking him if he's OK would probably be more appropriate than 'STFU'?

[TeapotsInJune]

True Agent but then with respect you're not the one stuck in a house with him and 4 month old baby - and I haven't literally said 'stfu' of course, I've just told him to be quiet.

We've moved on from the laughter to groans and screams now anyway. :-/

[AgentZigzag]

Is there any outside help you can call on?

How does your family deny he has MH problems?

You've just said he's always been like that, and it's good he's accepted for how he is, but groaning and screaming sounds distressed, and upsetting for you to hear as well.

Has he had any diagnosis or treatment, or does he just work his life around it?

[Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie]

do you/does he have support?

[TeapotsInJune]

No outside help whatsoever: my dad has gone on a cruise and left brother in my 'care' and we have absolutely no support. He does have problems - it's hard to explain exactly what/where: at times he can be fairly normal - other times not at all. Of course I don't think that people with MH problems are creepy or sinister but all the same my brother can be quite frightening when he sits there muttering, laughing and screaming and perhaps that is unfair of me, I don't know.

[Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie]

its not unfair of you,it can be bloody hard work.
how long till your dads back?how old is your brother?

[TeapotsInJune]

He's 34 - thanks Cheese. I didn't mean to sound quite as grouchy as I did!

[Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie]

why dont you post in mental health?might get more useful advice.i look after my dad but he/i have(mostly) fantastic support from professionals.

[Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie]

dont worry,im always grouchy.only thing with mn/internet in general is that theres always so much background/history that we dont get full story,its easy to make assumptions.

[ujjayi]

Has he ever had any support/intervention/GP involvement at all? Just wondering if now might be the time to instigate something? Could you perhaps take him to see your GP as a visiting patient?

Does he work/study OP?

YANBU to feel concerned. It sounds as though his behaviour can be unpredictable and you don't know quite what to expect next. I am an ex-clinical psychologist and I have had moments where I have felt rather uncomfortable with clients too. It's a natural response and you shouldn't feel bad about that.

[duckdodgers]

"I know who he is talking to! He is talking to himself!"

Yes you may think that but he may think differently if he is suffering from any auditory (voices) and/or visual hallucinations and responding to them. I can understand this may be a bit frightening for you, so its not unfair but if there are any underlying mental health issues he needs help.

[AgentZigzag]

I don't think it's fair on you either, I think I was commenting more on the general picture people automatically bring up in their heads whenever mental health or schizophrenia are mentioned.

That's not saying though that having to deal with a person screaming and laughing for no apparent reason, right there in front of you, isn't alarming.

But does he have contact with any health professionals about it at all?

Or would you be prepared to make first contact with them yourself?

I can understand if you didn't feel able to, if your Dad's usually caring for him I can't imagine it'd go down that well.

Only you can judge (based on his past behaviour, how alarming it is for you, whether you think you can cope) whether you need to call in someone more equiped for dealing with the situation.

If you need to do it now, cross the bridge of your dad potentially being upset if/when it comes to it, because you have your DC to consider too.

[TeapotsInJune]

Thanks :)

The thing is that he knows no one is there - he is aware that he is talking to himself, but he has very little idea of what is or isn't socially acceptable. He HAS suffered from hallucinations in the past and occasionally still does but it is easy to discern when he's hallucinating and when he is being what passes for normal ...

and he has just come downstairs, spilled hot coffee and said 'oh fuck' and informed me DD 'stinks of shit.'

I know he can't help it but MY GOD he is a pain!