My distant sibling, diagnosed with bipolar some time ago (I don't know any solid details, unfortunately), fell out of touch with me for years. Now he's back in touch, but mostly just to drop dramatic texts on me ("I'm at the hospital", or, tonight, "I'm with the police, I'll call you when I'm released") and then not answer my increasingly plaintive texts or phone calls.
I haven't been the prime target of this sort of thing before, what seems to be big swings of mental illness with the hospital and sheriffs and police involved, and the person involved giving me a bit of information but then nothing. Can anyone with more experience give me some advice as to ways I might handle it?
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posted by theatro
on Apr 7, 2013 -
13 answers
How do I deal with the stress and drama caused by my emotionally manipulative live-in sister? The emotional welfare of her two young children is also at stake. Special snowflake details inside.
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posted by BrianJ
on Dec 3, 2012 -
18 answers
Please hope me. Christmas is important to my mother, but it over the last few years it has turned into something that she can’t stand. It has gotten to the point that she doesn’t even want to have the Traditional Family Christmas at their house anymore. She loves Christmas and this is breaking her heart. Our family needs the help of Metafilter. This is anonymous because there’s enough drama already. Christmassy flurries within.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 26, 2012 -
41 answers
My family's Thanksgiving has been hijacked by unwanted guests. Please help with etiquette so we're all happy.
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posted by Cloudberry Sky
on Nov 11, 2012 -
74 answers
My semi-troubled sibling finally pulled the "I want to live with dad!" card. What should my mom do? How can I support her?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 1, 2012 -
16 answers
I wasn't invited to my boyfriend's family function, and I can't seem to get over it. Help me.
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posted by quodlibet
on Jul 5, 2012 -
35 answers
Family Drama Filter: Please help me sort out this situation. My parents are very difficult people and I'm considering cutting off ties. Help.
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posted by floweredfish
on May 1, 2012 -
50 answers
My father has anger issues and my family's reactions makes me feel like everything is falling apart. Can I do anything? If I can't, what can I do to cope?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 14, 2011 -
23 answers
How do I avoid a potentially upsetting and tricky family situation in an already stressful event?
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posted by snowysoul
on Aug 2, 2011 -
19 answers
What do you say to children of your exes that find you on Facebook? Bisexual three-way snowflake details inside.
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posted by No1UKnow
on Jul 19, 2011 -
21 answers
How can I peacefully and tactfully get out of the huge family Thanksgiving celebration for next year, or years after that? I've finally reached the end of my rope, I think.
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posted by kpht
on Nov 26, 2010 -
60 answers
I am incredibly stressed out by things going on with my family right now, and I'm not sure how I should handle things.
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posted by jnaps
on Jul 2, 2010 -
8 answers
I became too involved with my boyfriend's family and don't know how to escape his asshole younger brother. Here's the catch - we're all kids and their guilt tripping mother is involved. This is causing me a lot of grief and anxiety stemming from feeling trapped.
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posted by Yasuo
on Jun 17, 2010 -
22 answers
My husband lost his job, we're not sure how we're going to pay the rent in January, and my family is being assholes about Christmas gifts.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 19, 2009 -
64 answers
How do I re-start/maintain a relationship with my father while my mother is cheating on him and he doesn't know?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 23, 2009 -
14 answers
My elderly grandparents live 45 minutes south of Orlando. My husband and I are visiting them next weekend. What do we do while we're there to minimize drama and maybe have a bit of fun?
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posted by desjardins
on Jul 7, 2009 -
23 answers
We are recently separated (with lots of drama), and our families and friends don't know. How do I deal with my brother in law asking to stay with “us” for a while, since he suddenly got a job in our town?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 2, 2009 -
45 answers
With the holidays coming I find my inability to tolerate some family members and listen to the inane chatter that fills the room. I am often visually unhappy about the situation. How can I tolerate such gatherings in a way that at least makes it appear I'm not so unhappy? (Bonus points if I'm ACTUALLY not so unhappy).
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posted by arniec
on Dec 1, 2008 -
28 answers
My wife and I asked her sister for my wife's wedding dress back. She is refusing to give it to us until we pay her for damage to her car.
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posted by adi
on Jul 27, 2008 -
58 answers
I missed my two brothers-in-laws' birthdays, and one of my sisters is mad at me. I'll see everyone at Christmas. Help me make things right and prevent family drama.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 21, 2007 -
24 answers
I'm dealing with the fallout from coming out to my deeply religious immediate family. For years, I had prepared for their tears, their anger, their remonstrances, their appeals to the Bible, and all of those have come. What I hadn't prepared for was how disappointed I would be, and how fundamental and lonely that disappointment would be. Help?
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posted by grrarrgh00
on Oct 16, 2007 -
38 answers
Hotel/Home for the Holidays? My girlfriend and I are facing a major dilemma in visiting her home town for Christmas: Stay at her parents house or stay in a hotel. Any advice or past experiences would be most appreciated. Much much
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posted by travis vocino
on Dec 7, 2006 -
44 answers
I am a hopelessly moderate, hyper-responsible, mostly mellow person. How can I help my niece, who is very bright, but hyper-emotional and kind of an over-the-top drama queen, create stability for herself and/or make more responsible choices?
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posted by whatnot
on Oct 6, 2006 -
18 answers
