Any advice on having to live with a bipolar sister?!
Question: Any advice on having to live with a bipolar sister?
Answers:
I used to work as a Registered Nurse in psychiatry on adult and adolescent psychiatric units in hospitals. I know what you are talking about. You sister is not on adequate medication, and you can't stay in the same house with her or you will get Depressed. It is impossible to live with someone who has Bipolar Disorder and is in the manic phase. If there is an Aunt or someone you can live with, you should do that.
I'm sorry that your parents are just letting this happen. If they won't force your sister to get on adequate medication and stay on it, there is nothing you can do about that. You can show your parents this answer if it will help. If you can't move out and your parents won't do anything then you need to call Child Protection Services in your city or county. What you are living in is so dysfunctional a situation that it is child abuse for you to stay there. The Child Abuse workers should either fix the situation or find you a family to live with until you become self supporting and can live where you want to.
I have been very firm in this answer because you "need" to stop living with your sister for your mental health. If your parents tell you not to call child protection, call them anyway!. You can also talk to a counselor at school who has a duty to notify Child Protection when a Child is in an abusive situation.
I hope something I wrote has been helpful. I care about you.
I used to work as a Registered Nurse on adult and adolescent psychiatric units in hospitals for 20 years. Personal experience living in an abusive living situation.
Does she take medication for the bipolar? It isn't healthy for her to live in this condition, and it certainly isn't for your family either. If she is on medication, it's probably not working effectively. I'm not sure what you can do... depending on how close you are with your parents, you can talk to them about it. Or you can always gently bring up how you are feeling to your sister. If she isn't properly medicated though, things will stay the same.
Wish you the best!