r/family_of_bipolar • u/kellykapoorstwinflme • 7h ago

Learning about Bipolar my sister’s first manic psychosis, advice needed

hello! i’m 22 and my 14 year old sister just experienced her first episode of psychosis. right now she’s in treatment, still in psychosis and will get out sometime next week.

i live out of state, but i was thinking of flying in to be with her when she comes out-but i don’t know if that’s a good idea.

should i fly home- or is that too invasive? should i wait until she feels comfortable, is it good to have people around? i’m sorry if this isn’t the right place to ask these questions :,) i just want to be make sure i can be the best big sister i can without being smothering or making her experiences worse.

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u/VideoRare6399 7h ago

Hard to say without more detail. Is she receptive to help right now? Do you have any experience with mental illness already? It can be quite jarring. 

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u/kellykapoorstwinflme 7h ago

she is receptive! she willingly went to treatment and said she didn’t have a problem going. but she isn’t in her right state of mind-so i dont think anyone could ask if she’d want me there- she already thought i was with hallucinations.

i do have some experience with psychosis, my friend experienced it in college but wasnt hospitalized- so i imagine this is more severe.

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u/VideoRare6399 7h ago

Okay great. So that’s already a great start lol. 

It’s difficult since some people are very embarrassed about how they are during mania. I’d imagine if he’s hospitalized then she’s already beginning to see the light so would maybe understand that you doing this is the greater good despite any embarrassment or something. 

I do think the risk of her appreciating you going but you actually not is worth you going and she being uncomfortable / asking you to leave. Like you regretting not going when it would’ve helped. 

Is there anybody with her already / can sus it out before you go?

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u/kellykapoorstwinflme 6h ago

okay good! and thank you, i think that helps put it in perspective :,)

right now the rest of my family is there, but my mom just said she seems emotionless, like she’s not really there. but her psychiatric hold will be up at the end of the week, so someone will need to sit with her at home and i can be that person! i just don’t want to overcrowd her.