I'm in tears. How do I cope with an older sister, I've known all my life, who suddenly seems to have some mental illness?
She had an episode about 1 year ago but seemed to have bounced back to normalcy. But now, 1 1/2 years later , her change in behavior is back.
Last time the Psychiatrist said she was just depressed. She's been married for over 15 years. She's very humble, loving, thoughtful, helpful and a very submissive wife.
Four years ago, before her mental illness, she's been suspicious that her husband had been having an affair; to the point where she would follow him at nights sometimes to see where he was going. She even thinks he has a child with another woman, but has no proof. I (as a sister) STRONGLY feel this is what triggered a loss in her sanity. I think she's been doing everything she could do to keep her marriage together.
Many nights her husband would go out and she would be home alone with the girls. She was lonely. And, eventually had an affair. She admitted it to him but that's when the S**T hit the fan. Do you know of those who can give but cannot take? Well, this is when she lost it (literally). She said he was badggering her with questions & not letting her sleep.
I'm new to all of this. Can anyone give me advice on how to cope w/ seeing my sister like this? She & her girls are staying at our house right now. She left her job and said she wanted to come here to 'clear her head' and to rest.
One of the meds I see has been prescribed to her is a med that I know that ppl in a mental institution takes. Risperdal.
It hurts me to see her like this. It's like , it's not even her. She's saying weird things, and doing weird things; putting hair gel on her legs for lotion, spinning around for no reason & jumping up & down for no reason. She looks really tired, like she doesn't really know where she is. I didn't even go to the gym today because I had to take her to her daughter's PTA meeting.