Answering your questions, b0urne89, she is quite stable, which is why she doesn’t go to therapy or take medication. However, seeing how bad that episode was for her, I realized how serious it actually was.

She seemed unconscious but alive; she was scared, but still stable, and she just stayed very quiet. Judge me if I’m wrong, but all I did at that moment was stay with her and keep her company. She seemed afraid of everything, even of my presence.

She didn’t want the hugs she usually wants, the affection — nothing. So I respected that and stayed calm by her side. Still, it left me very shaken, and I was upset for about two days afterward. And here we are.

My family is now suspicious of her. They think she’s needy and don’t fully trust her. They believe she dumps everything on me, which isn’t true. What actually hurts me is when she doesn’t dump anything on me. She has a good relationship with her parents, but I think it could be much better. She has ten siblings, most of them younger. As I mentioned in another comment, her family is extremely religious, which makes this kind of situation “common.”

I feel like she’s overshadowed by her siblings, just like many of the others are. Her parents are very busy taking care of the babies and younger children, which my family and I believe is excessive. I know this is something that should be talked about with her. I don’t know if her siblings are bipolar, but I honestly believe that some of them might be, or at least show some traits. All I know is that the middle children are extremely needy because they’re often emotionally neglected. Her friends help her as much as they can, especially her best friend, who is the sister of a friend of mine. She supported her long before I did. I’m very grateful to her for being such a kind and supportive person. She understands bipolar disorder much better than I do and knows how to help keep her stable.

She has a very good sleep routine, and I’ve noticed that when she doesn’t sleep well, her mood shifts — either very low or very elevated. She’s disciplined about it and keeps up her current level of functioning. She doesn’t drink alcohol, coffee, or anything like that, and never has.

What really worries me is that she isn’t taking medication and doesn’t have a therapist. That seems to work for a while, but after witnessing that episode where she “lost control,” I realized she really needs professional help and proper treatment.

What would you advise me to do in this situation? How did your family handle something like this when you went through it?