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? [more inside]
posted by theatro on Apr 7, 2013 - 13 answers

Looking for experiences related to reconnecting with estranged family for very limited purposes. [more inside]
posted by angrycat on Jan 16, 2013 - 5 answers

How do I talk to my mother about her depression, especially when I'm trying to create better boundaries but simultaneously plan for my family's future? [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Oct 25, 2010 - 9 answers

My mentally ill mother hired a private investigator to track me down... among other things. Please help! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 8, 2010 - 33 answers

Due to years of my mother’s mental illness, dependency on prescription medication, and wildly varying levels lying leading to all sort of trust issues, I am a 30-year old woman with a very complicated relationship with my aging mom. I feel more than a little guilt and sadness about this, and authentically would like to improve our relationship. There are, of course complications. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2009 - 9 answers

How do I connect with a half-sister who is only six years old? Details of our estrangement and additional background inside. [more inside]
posted by snapped on Feb 18, 2009 - 24 answers

My mother has gone bonkers, but she won't admit it on her own. How can I help her get help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 30, 2006 - 6 answers

Is there any way to find out my grandfather's medical / criminal history when a) I know almost nothing about him and b) He's been dead since 1994? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Feb 1, 2006 - 12 answers