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[quote=Anonymous]My brother is a mess mentally.  Definitely depressed.  Possibly bipolar (he received that diagnosis in a hospital once).  I don't think he's bipolar, but I'm not an expert.  Anyway, he's lashing out at our parents, his kids, and occasionally me.  I realize intellectually he's lashing out because he's in pain.  But that doesn't mean we've got to take it, right? He doesn't live with any of us (has his kids 50% of the time).    When we do stuff to protect ourselves from his bad behavior, he lashes out even more.  I feel we are being reasonable. Of course that's all subjective.    One example is politely declining an invitation to a particular event where he "always" gets out of hand and is insulting to our elderly parents.

I don't know how to try and be supportive while protecting myself from his verbal tirades and crazy roller coaster emotions.  And I want to be supportive.  Even though he's making me furious with his antics, I know deep down he needs people who love him to be there for him.  I just don't know how to approach it.

Anyone been there, done that?

FWIW I do have an appointment with a therapist myself to see if I can learn any tips for navigating the upcoming holidays in as healthy a way possible.
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