u/Commercial-Dot1790

I learned recently that my roommate has bipolar following emergency services having to respond to two episodes. She was released from the psych hospital but I don’t know what her state of mind is.

I told her that I was informed she had done something that compromises my safety and just asked for her to not do it again. She’s denying that she did it but I’ve seen evidence with my own eyes and wasn’t being aggressive about it.

I know there is a shame factor with bipolar and maybe that’s why she’s lying. Is lying about odd things a symptom of the condition or just a human behavior?

My roommate and I have chatted about our adverse life experiences but she never revealed her diagnosis. I have no idea what type she has. Today I needed to put something in her room and saw an empty bottle of Lamotrigine. Is anyone familiar with this medication?

I could use some support after being worried about her following these two episodes. During the initial episode she was at home and hanging out with her boyfriend. I still don’t know what exactly happened because she didn’t want to talk about it. I woke up to the sound of police walkie talkies. I stepped out of my bedroom to see police and medics talking to my roommate in her bedroom. I asked if anyone could tell me what’s going on. They said no because of HIPAA. I returned to my bedroom to give them some privacy with my roommate. A cop came to my bedroom to ask me if she had access to any weapons/sharp objects. I said not that I know of but now I’m wondering if I should’ve mentioned the kitchen knives. They took her away via ambulance and told me she would be back same-day. I began texting her to let her know I didn’t know what was happening but I was worried about her and I was there for her. She said she didn’t want to talk about it right now and was just having a hard time. So I left it alone. I crossed paths with her again and asked if she was feeling any better. She said she’s back on her medication now and should level out soon. That raised some possible-bipolar flags on my head but I decided to leave it alone for a bit longer. I asked what medication she’s on, what’s her diagnosis, and requested she share an emergency contact with me so I can communicate with someone close to her life in case there’s another scary situation. She didn’t reply to those texts.

Life continued as normal. Yesterday I get a knock at the front door. It’s her mom and siblings. Her mom says she has been in a car accident and needs to come in to get some of her things to bring to the hospital. I let the mom in and ended up making conversation with her. I have an acquired brain injury and shared how I have a health issue and have spent months in the hospital due to it so I get how confusing it can be when you’re sick. I thought she was hospitalized because of the car accident. Turns out it’s actually a psych commitment. Mom says she began arguing with her boyfriend while driving and took a bunch of pills. Mom couldn’t answer if it was her medication or drugs. She said my roommate vomited all over her car before crashing. The car is totaled now and roommate is being held at a local behavioral center on a psych hold. Mom isn’t sure when she’ll be released but mom wants to move her back home.

While it’s stressful needing to find someone to take her place, I think being with family is probably best. I don’t know the level of care she needs and probably wouldn’t be able to supply it.

I just can’t believe how hard things hit the fan.

I’m an adult. The behavior that made me frustrated growing up hasn’t stopped and has only escalated.

I know the whole idea of you eventually have to stop blaming your parents but what about when the behavior has needed boundary setting that keeps getting broken?