[samstokes]

I'm sorry this is happening to you and to your friend. I have some similar experience and want to share some advice I wish I had heard earlier.

It sounds to me like you did the right thing - situations like this can get worse if left unchecked and have serious consequences for the person in question and those around them. I'm not diagnosing your friend - I'm no expert, and various disorders can have those symptoms - but there are resources out there about (e.g.) mood disorders [1] that might give you some perspective and advice.

Treatment can help, and can make a huge difference. Hospitals are unpleasant but can sometimes be the only way for someone who needs treatment to receive it. I am certainly no legal expert, but I think if he was forcibly committed to a hospital and police were involved, he's unlikely to be released without accepting treatment.

You might find it helpful to join a support group for caregivers (e.g. [2]). In my experience it's common for friends as well as family members to attend those. People will offer resources and advice, as well as just sharing their experience, which can provide perspective and help with feeling lost.

Also consider (if you're not already) finding a therapist of your own. People in one of these episodes can push boundaries, say things to you they wouldn't normally mean, and generally be hard to be around while maintaining your own health and boundaries - particularly if you're invested in trying to help them.

[1] https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/ [2] https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/chapters-and-support-gro...

[_qjno]

That is the part I do not understand. I have never agreed with any health professionals to be part of his ongoing care. I suspect his family may have done so, but are abandoning their responsibility?

He had agreed to let me visit him in hospital very shortly, before he is discharged. I intend to make it very clear to the staff that I have not agreed to have any official role in his ongoing help.

[samstokes]

You're right, you're not his caregiver, or obliged to be. Sorry if it sounded like I was suggesting that.

I doubt the staff would expect or pressure you to take responsibility for him. If anything you might have trouble getting them to even discuss his case with you - different states vary but in some cases they won't share case details without explicit permission from the patient. (If that sounds frustrating given your first hand experience of his symptoms and their progression - I sympathise.)

The support groups in particular may be useful despite that, just because you mentioned he's a housemate, so he may continue to be in your life. When I attended there were spouses, parents, but also just friends who wanted to help out their friend and understand what they were going through, without adopting responsibility for them.

[tomcam]

> I intend to make it very clear to the staff that I have not agreed to have any official role in his ongoing help.

As a guy who was forced to be family counselor… I’m thrilled you understand this. Stay strong.