How do know someone is faking a mental disorder?
Written on July 11, 2009 – 1:21 am | by Drug Abuse Help
My ex boyfriend has always claimed he has bipolar, however he doesn’t seek help. He will schedule physc. appointments and just not go, he abuses anti-seizure meds prescribed for his brother among other drugs. He would be nice to me one day and very verbally abusive and angry the next. I used think he claims were true and tried to help but doesn’t follow though with treatment. He has applied for SSI/disability payments but has been denied twice. He has a third case pending now. I have reported him to the SS
agency for fraud because he would lie about seeking treatment and how much money he was making. I just moved out and now staying with parents because his abuse has become physical and he was stealing money from my checking accounts.
Some people think I was being cruel for "abandoning" him and causing him trouble but I just can’t stand for being being abused and ripped off even if his "condition" is real.
My question how easy it to fake bipolar or is his behavior possibly caused bt bipolar?
Mister_Secret_Identity said:
Jul 11, 09 at 6:08 amYou cannot personally help these types of people. He is addicted to drugs. If he could not find comfort from you, or himself, then he is doomed.
The only thing you can do, if you want to, is to report him to Mental Health Services or to the Police. Perhaps a few days in lockup will make him appreciate life and people a bit more.
You are a sensitive person. I know you care but you don’t have the experience or the know-how in dealing with drug abusers. He does have a mental disorder but not Bipolar. Bipolar usually is more sex oriented than drug abuse.
He is suffering from a need for escape, a life of hallucinations, rather than facing his fears and coming to terms with disappointment in his life and himself.
The drugs he has used and now uses has caused a change in his brain chemicals and he has a form of schizophrenia. His good side tries to get help but his bad side is too strong and feed itself with abuse.
Even if he is finally on prescribed medication, it will not stop the drug abuse because it is instilled into his sub-conscious as an easy way out of reality. His life from now on will be one of torment and guilt. He will never recover (fully).
Alexis said:
Jul 11, 09 at 6:46 amHi Belle,
Whatever your ex-boyfriend’s problems are, he doesn’t sound like the man of your dreams. More like the man of your nightmares. His life is quite a mess right now, and if he refuses to go for counselling there isn’t much more you can do. Even many wives have to take the "tough love" approach with husbands who have addictions. Through Al Anon for instance, they learn not to cover for their husband anymore when bosses call and they will refuse to call their husband’s employer to say hubby "is sick today."
Once the husband loses his wife as his crutch (codependant), he will freefall until he asks for the help he needs.
So, no, you didn’t abandon your boyfriend, you gave him a chance to help himself.
__John_M__ said:
Jul 11, 09 at 10:38 amThis sounds more like something called Borderline Personality Disorder.
However, what good will it do if you can tell if he is faking or not? Say he is not faking the disorder, what will you do? Prescribe the meds yourself?
Just take him to a licensed Psychiatrist or pyschologist, depending on how severe.