My brother is mentally ill, but I don't know what he has?

Question

For years my family and I have struggled with my oldest brother. He is rather anti-social, having very few friends, and exhibits all kinds of strange/compulsive behaviours.

He laughs out of the blue, picks at/plays with his hair, talks to himself sometimes, and seems to eat compulsively lately...he has gained a lot of weight in the past few years. Sometimes his compulsive behaviours change...like he had a phase where he would keep blowing his nose, and a phase where he seemed to keep weighing himself.

Furthermore, he often seems unaware of his surroundings...like he doesn't care to clean up after himself properly, wear nice clothes, or groom his hair.

He has always struggled socially/had anger in him, I feel. It pains me more and more to see him get older, struggling to find and keeps jobs, and keep on with these odd behaviours.

Any idea what this could be? My family has tried to address it in the past, but my brother won't hear any of it. I just want to see him better. He's 27.

Answer 1

That sounds like depression or bipolar disorder, these are common symptoms of each. He needs to be evaluated by a professional.

Answer 2

U just described someone I know.  He has a mild case of tourette's syndrome...and I think he might be bi-polar.

Answer 3

My younger sister has a lot of those symptoms. Seems the more she locks herself away from the outside world, the more she wants to lock everything out. She's an adorable person (though she doesn't see it). I wish she'd eat, she's a skinny little thing. All she does is play video games.

She hasn't seen a doctor about her condition, but I believe it's manic depression and social anxiety disorder.

Your brother needs to seek help.

Answer 4

Has he been to a doctor to be tested?   There are many things that could be.

Some of the symptoms sound like Aspergers, some sound like other things.    The best way to help him is to get him to a doctor and get him tested as soon as possible.

Good luck.

Answer 5

sounds like my aspergers son ,maybe this can help hang in there and good luck. go to www.parentingaspergers.com

Answer 6

Maybe autism or aspergers syndrome?

Answer 7

there is only one true way to find out and that is a psychiatric assessment. I do believe he can be comitted without his concent but that is for his parents to decide.

Answer 8

It could be a number of things, I would say to send him to get a full psychological evaluation to see what is wrong with him. It will take 3 days but it does sound like something is wrong. Does he rock back and forth ever?

Answer 9

My son has Atypical High Functioning Autism and sounds alot like the things you describe. Perhaps you could consult a Neuropsychologist to see what they say. This is what we are going to try next. Best of wishes.