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How to help - possible Bipolar

3 replies

nothingoldcanstay · 06/03/2012 21:06

I am at a bit of a loss with a friend. We joined Uni last year and as a group of us mature students became friends. Just before Christmas our friend was doing really well..pulling in 70+ for essays and sorting out her personal issues. She has had quite a tough upbringing (lots of family/friend issues and no real support) but also had ADHD in childhood.

Obviously we had a Christmas break and an exam period with no teaching. During this period our friend failed a couple exams and an essay. A member of her family with mental health problems moved into her flat at Christmas because there was no where else.She then dropped out and we had a ew conversations about carrying on when she is ready she hasn't made contact since.

A month on she has recently become fanatical on Facebook. She posts many times a day, very random (gibberish) messages about spirt, soul, love etc etc. lots of links to utopian futures and dope smoking sheep amongst other things. She never posted anything before.

I messaged her and asked her how she was doing and she immediately deleted me. However she did come to collect some work from Uni the next day where she bumped into someone else. They said she was acting like she was on speed but there were no tell tale eyes. She did very happy she said. She has found God and is loving life apparently.

I thought of Bipolar disorder although I know nothing about it. I know something isn't right though.

Anything I can do or do I just butt out and let her work through it? She does have children under 10 and really she doesn't have a support network.

OP posts:
NanaNina · 06/03/2012 23:02

Your friend certainly sounds like she is suffering from some kind of mental illness. It does sound like she is a little out of touch with reality, given all the FB stuff, but it is hard to say and we are not medics onhere, so shouldn't really be trying to diagnose. I'm not sure there is anything you can do is there? Do you know her well enough to e mail or phone and just say you are a bit worried about her and is there anything you can do to support her, or something like that. Does she have no support network at all, if so it is worrying that she has young children, but again there is not a lot you can do, especially as she has deleted you from messaging.

hugeheadofhair · 06/03/2012 23:14

Can you inform somebody at university, her tutor or your tutor that you're seriously worried about her behaviour? Her current behaviour does appear quite manic, and because it feels good, she wouldn't say anything is wrong. However, manic periods go, so she may be more approachable about this in time. Having more than one person looking out for her may help though. You, on your own, can only do so much.

nothingoldcanstay · 07/03/2012 07:08

OK thanks.

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