Is it uncommon for someone to have mania type behaviour after the death of their spouse. I've noticed this in my parent and wondered what to do or should I even suggest they might want to get some counseling. They quit taking anti-deppresant a couple of yrs ago and really went from overzealous gonna save their family from hell attitude to crying for days. The crying was definately a manipulative move to convince me how horrible my siblings treated them. Long story....but my parent sees that they do know wrong and they think they are teaching me how to have a personal relationship with Christ as they don't think any one but them really understands it. I know I'll never convince them otherwise of this either. Since their spouse of 30 yrs has now passed. They have put on a face of I'm fine I can handle anything attitude. Only they don't want people to visit and panic when anyone other than immediate family come over. The panic is because the house isn't perfect in their mind. It's always immaculate. My parent is putting up barriers so others can't get close in my mind, they can't deal with anyone showing them sympathy and get angry later but never in front of others except me and my siblings and her pets. Do I wait this out and see if they eventually come out of it or speak with their doctor. My parent doesn't think they have a problem. They just say God is working me through this.

Do I wait this out and see if they eventually come out of it or speak with their doctor.

It depends, how long has it been?

It's been 3 weeks. My parent is also down to about 90 lbs since going off anti-depressant, has lost about 15 lbs in a year since stopping meds.

Three weeks doesn't seem like that long to me. After the death of their 30 year partner? I think he/she just needs more time to grieve.

As for stopping ADs and the weight loss, that is probably an entirely separate issue. I guess it would depend on if the person is now too thin? Maybe he/she is small boned and just lost weight that they gained while taking the med? If you are concerned, it never hurts to see a doc

Good luck.

Alot of time's mania/bipolar disorders are triggered by trauma. She may have had symptoms for years but not enough to cause concern for anyone. My 13 y/o son was sexually molested 2 years ago by a man we trusted with our lives. That was my trigger that sent me spiraling out of control. I have been diagnosed as being bipolar and believe it or not it all made perfect sense because of my behavior when I was younger (i'm 39). I knew I struggled with depression since the age of 12 but my behavior was more than just depression and it wasn't until the trauma occurred that it all came out into the open and I understood the way I had behaved in the past. Has this parent ever shown any signs of depression? Mania also includes excessive spending, irratic behavior, very energetic at times and then you crash into depression. I would contact her doctor just to get some feedback on how to best support this person. Good luck!

Well now that Christmas is nearing I am still concerned about her behaviour. She is not wanting to be near any family over the holiday. Still not eating well, very agitated, admits has not broken down since spouses death, does not want to be with any family over the holiday and quit their job. I've suggested they see a Dr to get back on meds but feels she's trying to self medicate with left over prescriptions. She said she can't deal with anybody and is leaving for several weeks and doesn't know when she'll return. I can't stop her from leaving and really don't want to stop her as it might do her some good, but I don't think she'll return. If she does I don't think she'll stay.