Friend with Bi Polar

[rosiepinkcheeks]

Hi everyone. I am a regular poster but on on trivial things but need some advice. A good friend of mine has not been in touch for a long time. We live very far away from each other. My calls and texts to her went unanswered for months and months and no response when I sent cards/letters. Anyway I got a call from her out of the blue a couple of weeks ago saying sorry not been in touch and she explained she was suffering with bi polar but was on the mend and now fit and well. No mention of bi polar in the past so I wasnt aware she suffered. I was so happy to hear from her. However over the course of the past few weeks I have started getting "strange" text messages from her. Often about 20 or 30 in very quick succession. Very rambling messages that don't make sense and out of character. I don't know how to respond and not sure if I tell her I am worried or if it is best to just let her keep sending the messages. Any advice?

It sounds like she had depression so didn't answer any of your messages, and maybe she is now in a manic part of bipolar, hence all the text messages now. This could be all fine, and just the way she is, or it could be a warning that things might be going a bit too hyper and out of control for her.

Maybe best to respond, and be friendly to her, and at some point gently ask her if she is on medication for her bipolar and seeing a doctor. I suppose it depends on how involved you want to get.

Thanks so much for the advice.

If this is out of character for her then I agree with Cheese, she may be manic. You could gently tell her that you are concerned about her and is she getting medical treatment? If she is manic it is likely that she does not have insight into her condition and might not be able to see that her behaviour is unusual. If that is the case, does she have a dp you could speak to confidentially?

Thanks lasting. It is out of character. She is single and I don't have a number for her ex. She has a DD who is 5. I got 3 texts late last night saying she will book flights for us both to Vegas. We have a mutual friend who lives close. She too also lost contact but after raising my concerns she is going to pop round later today to check how she is. Not sure what else to do.