ElsaDawnNew Contributor
Feeling helpless and ready to give up - Mother with Bipolar
Once again, we have arrived at a point where my Mum has disappeared, and someone else is controlling her body.
For the duration of my life, my Mum has been on and off her medication, in and out of Psychiatric hospitals and every few years my dad, brother and I have to go through the pain of her relapses.
My brother, who is no longer living at home has given up on trying to help her, feeling frustrated by the fact that she refuses to take her medication, and once again, leaving us to deal with the consequences. My dad, who is an absolute trooper when it gets to this point is very patient with her, and although in her eyes at these moments, he is the worst person in the world, and treats him terribly, he remains by her side.
I am now at the point, where no matter how many conversations I have with her about my concerns, and her behaviour, she does not take in anything I am saying, and I have to sit back and watch her make decisions that I know aren't good for her, but helpless to do anything to stop it. She is surrounding herself with people who have stolen from her and taken advantage of her, spending money on them, and buying them useless things, when her own family's pantry sits empty.
It has gotten to a point now, where I want to completely disengage from her, because I can no longer watch her make these decisions, and be around people who are encouraging her behaviour and flat out using her and taking advantage of her. It is taking a toll on my own mental and physical health, and I cannot put that at risk too.
My question is - does this make me completely heartless? She is my mother and I love her more than life itself, but there is nothing else I can do for her, if she does not want to accept help. Has anyone else been in this position? If so, how did you handle it? and did your loved one eventually get help?
I am glad that you were able to connect with 
