My baby sister has bipolar disorder?

I went back to visit my family in NJ, during spring break, my little sister who was 8 (now 16 years old) grew up since the last time i saw her. I went into the bathroom and saw a HUGE amount of prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet, i was reading the labels and after a bit of searching, found out it is for severe depression and bipolar disorder.

I felt like i was going to vomit, my little sister... My parents are not good parents, i got out of my house as fast as i could at 17 years old, so having a sick sister with my parents is a disaster. I call them maybe once a month and no one tells me this and my sister never answers her phone..

From what i've been "spying on" she has a cuts in her arms from her armpits to her wrist, and has scaples and syringes hidden in her room. I found out she tried to commit suicide 4 times, and she doesnt take her medicine because it makes her feel happy and she hates it when she feels happy. She runs away constantly and locks herself in her room for days doing i have no idea, then the next night she wants ice cream sundae from dunkin donuts. And from reading her journal which she hides under the carpet, she says life has no meaning she describes such happy things, starting a family with the man you love, traveling, and how it will never happen to her and she describes how good it feels to hurt yourself and the adreline she gets when she tied a rope to her neck. She dropped out of highschool, is EMO, and drinks until she passes out... Is this bipolar?

I have two older brothers who like me left the house straight after highschool because my parents were abusive, we were never allowed out, and various other problems, but she was the youngest and never had siblings to support her, i kind of blame myself. I'm engaged, i have 2 years until i get my masters, but Im thinking about going back home to try to help and support my sister, I will literally take her away from my parents and bring her to me, and get her the help and support she needs.... *sigh*... I'm so worried...

Thanks for listening...

You have reason to worry about your sister who sounds like she is in deep trouble. As to your question is she bipolar? She might be, sounds like parents have tried to get help. Since she has meds, even though she doesn't take them. Is there a clergy person, or other family member that you can turn to for help?

My daughter was into some strange stuff when she was that age. Luckily, she got some help and is fine now.

You sound like you have your life together. If you want to take on the responsibility of your sister instead of Graduate School, I think that might be a mistake. Better to finish school, do what you can while you are in there, and let your sister know you are there for her. Let her know you love her. If you think they will listen tell your parents and siblings about your concern. hugs, Norma

Welcome. I am so glad you have found us. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I have a little sister, too. She is having problems, too. She doesn't have bipolar, but, drug, and alcahol problems. It runs in my family.

I don't know what to say. I understand how you feel. I would be wanting to do something, too. I would start by talking to her, first. Does she want help? Does she know you know she has bipolar? Have you asked her about these things, you have found out.

It might make her mad at first if she thinks you were spying on her. She seems to be trying to hide all of this. I think you might want to go slow.

Researching all you can about this illness would be really good. Building trust with your sister. Asking general questions. Asking her what she wants to do.

If she is in danger of hurting herself, or someone else, take her to the hospital. I would be worried about the cutting, and suicidal behavior. This is serious.

These are some things, I can think of.

I have bipolar disorder. I wasn't ready to get help until a year ago. I am 37yrs old. The sooner she gets help the better.

Feel free to share, ask questions, and vent, we are here for you.

Perhaps getting her away from the parents environment will help her to see a more stable way of life.. and it might encourage her to seek help and to do her part in it. There are others here that self harm, I don't, so I don't completely understand that illness, but when you read that she felt it made her feel good, to those that do this, it does.

Good Luck to you, and i hope your sister is open to help.