Your friend sounds like she has Graves Disease because of the bulging eyes.
A friend of mine also went through this, and at her worst, she was manic, like
how you described your friend. She sounds like she has very severe symptoms.
Long term, hyperthyroid can damage cells, leading to cancer, heart disease,
and a host of other problems. She definitely needs help. Unfortunately, in
the US, one of our rights is to be able to refuse medical treatment of any
kind. The only way around that is to have her declared unfit. With her anxiety
and paranoia, which are symtoms, depending on how they effect her everyday
life, a family member or doctor could have a shot, but it'd be difficult and
costly.

That being said, the only way that you can really get her any help is to
convince her. Sitting her down in a calm, loving way and telling her how much
you would miss her, how nuch it's hurting you to see her suffer unnesscesarily
are your best shot. She IS irrational because of her illness. And it's hard to
convince someone who is irrational to be rational. Has she seen any doctors?
I would tell her that you'll be there with her every step of the way. The
trick is to not come off too strongly, and to play on her emotions. Reasoning
with her and giving her facts may just piss her off. I know when I was in that
manic phase no one could tell me anything-my skin felt like it was crawling.
Every nerve felt like it was exposed. Anything could set me off. But, you
can't help it. Thyroid controls moods.

You are in a difficult situation. Trying to get her help while not
alienating her are going to be tough. I wish you luck, and hope that your friend
will
get the help she so desperately needs. The long term damage she is doing to
her body is frightening. Please keep us informed.

Lisa C


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