Concerned for my sister

[potemkin]

Anyones help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. For the last 5-6 years my sister (36) has had mental problems. These problems always arise at christmas time. The symptoms are Talking loudly, eventually not knowing anyone, going into the rooms of the house and switching lights on and off, worse case - walking backwards - throughout the years she`s been treated with various tablets etc. This does eventually sort the problem out, but she is so withdrawn, almost zombie like. She has no interaction with anyone, doesn`t work. I`m mondering if anyone has experienced similar issues, also does anyone know of any societies etc where we can help, i really think she needs help, maybe even a carer, we`ve spoken to doctors and their just not interested

[WendyS]

I do understand your anxiety and wonder what form of other professional support your sister is receiving, as obviously medication alone does not seem to be helping her. Would it be possible to accompany her to her GP (since she obviously needs an advocate) and ask if she can be referred to a Community Psychiatric Nurse (or psychiatrist). They may be able to refer her to some support groups who might help her. I think in cases like this you sometimes have to be quite pushy and forceful to get the help that is needed for somebody who isn't capable of fighting their own corner. I don't know whether your sister's problem revolves around depression but she obviously does need some professional support. I wonder whether Christmas is a trigger point because she feels inadequate at coping with happy celebrations when she feels excluded and unable to join in because of personality difficulties. Just a thought - did something traumatic happen to her during a previous Christmas which is causing her to react lin this manner at this particular time of the year?

[potemkin]

Hi Wendy, thanks for your reply, when doctors have spoken to my sister in the passed about this, she always brings up the subject of death. Christmas time has not been the best for us in the past, death in the family and pets also. Last year she was fine leading upto christmas, and she wasn`t on any medication, She actually got ill soon as she saw the devestation that the tsunami had on news years day. Last year was particularly bad, we actually had the police around, and eventually she was sectioned under the mental health act. There is something very deep rooted to all of this, there must be some chemical catalyst, as it doesn`t effect her at any other time. She has had a rough time of it from birth actually, she was born premature, and has a back deformity, she got bullied etc, and i think it her diminished her in everyway