Question on Bi Polar

I have a client who has a mother who is Dxed as Bi Polar, and who manipulates her children (my client) by refusing to take her meds and thus becomes violent and suicidal. It seems to have been the thinking that he child now in her early 20's should be responisble for her mother, or at least submit to the manipulation and knuckle under. Her old sibling has left the country and her younger sibling has been left in her charge for nearly 10 years since the onset of Mom's behaviour. Question is it ethical for the med profession treating mom to announce and expect the children to care take mom when there is no visible sense of hope in the Tx, and when in fact the caretaking of Mom is causing preceivable and demonstrative affects on the children -- depressiion night terrors and addictions. Your comments plse

Neil Douglas - Tubb Victoria BC

• Family responsibility by Don Nathanson, 11/21/96
• Manipulative Mom by Ed Riemann LCSW, 11/28/96