I have a close friend who has just admitted to being BP.  I asked her about the cuts on her arms...along time ago..but never really thought about it.

After reading your website, I can't help but think that she has been showing severe BP-like symptoms lately, more like depression and almost all of the symptoms mentioned in BPI and BP2.

She's taking high doseages of Effexor,

400mg a day.  Seems kind of weird to take that much of an antidepressant.  Did I also mention that she told me that she has tried to commit suicide by OD and has had severe problems with alcohol and drug abuse.  But now, she just looks bad, she's superthin.  Red bags under her eyes, unexplained physical ailments, insomnia, sweating alot.  She says she feels like death every day and when she misses a dose of Effexor, her ears bleed inside (I've seen a Q-tip) and she "wretches."  I sense that she is having what someone on your site called break through mania--even on this high doseage.

She's also on an antipsychotic drug Seroquel for Schizoeffective disorder and Borderline Personality disorders.

How can I comfortably suggest to her to het help as soon as possible.  I don't know how to get in touch with her family members.  I suggested a hospital but she said no way.  

But I can see she needs help --FAST.

What can I do?

Dear Kylie -- 
I’ve gotten way behind on replies so am opting for now to be "short and sweet" (hopefully, and hopefully still useful):

How about suggesting she read the site and see what she thinks, then talk about it with her doctor? 

Dr. Phelps

Published November, 2001