Roommate off her medication?!

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I live in an on-campus apartment with two close friends. One of my friends takes medication for some sort of psychiatric disorder or depression, I'm not sure what specifically, she's never chosen to share that with us. She's always taken her medication and we've never noticed anything wrong or off with her. </p>

<p>Lately though, things have gotten weird. Her parents are divorcing, so we thought she was just upset, but now she's spiraling. She stays up for three days in a row and then will sleep for a day through all her classes. We find her up at random hours of the night doing crazy stuff like making enough food for twenty people or playing her drum set. Her mood is all over the place. Half an hour ago, she threw a major fit and locked herself in her room because we wouldn't let her take down all of our decorations and just leave hers, and now she's in the kitchen making us cookies like nothing happened. This prompted the discussion between me and my other friend -- neither of us have seen her take her medication in a few weeks. I mean it's not like we monitor her, but she's pretty open about it and will usually take them at dinner. </p>

<p>I just don't know what to do. If she's off her medication because her doctor is trying to help her off it, I don't want to be insensitive. But if she's just being non-compliant, then I'm really worried. I'm afraid to tell her parents because they are very, very controlling, bordering on emotionally abusive, and I worry that they'll march over here and shove them down her throat and tomorrow we'll be back to square one. </p>

<p>At what point do I look into getting in contact with her parents or getting the university reslife involved?</p>

2

<p>Have you talked to her? Tell her what you’ve just said here! We notice a great change in your behavior and are worried about you. We know you take medication (and while we don’t know a lot about it) want you to be healthy. Your actions prompt us to act in your behalf.</p>

3

<p>I’m with gouf78 above, and if that doesn’t work, our college has a hotline for the health/counseling center to call. I had a roommate we had to call and ask about. You can explain to them what’s going on, and they can give their best medical advice. You don’t have to use names, just explain what’s going on. Our’s worked well with that.</p>

4

<p>Oh don’t just say, “You need to take your meds” because as a person on meds for anxiety mimicking bipolar disorder, it can be frustrating. Say something along the lines of “hey you don’t seem like yourself, what’s up? Can I help in any way” and then gradually bring in the meds. At least that’s what works best with me. I get frustrated when people (people meaning my close close family) immediately assume it’s meds that has me emotional. There could perhaps be more to the situation.</p>

5

<p>^Agreed! Mostly…Sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong, but you don’t have to decide if it has aything to do with meds. Just let her, or whomever, know you’ve noticed she is acting different, and that you are concerned.</p>