Sister shows signs of mental illness at college

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January 21, 2019 - 9:02 AM

Dear Carolyn: My sister is 18. She got homesick at college this year and is definitely depressed. I think she recently started antidepressants. She had a brief relationship there and has reacted poorly to the breakup. She has told the guy, several times, that she’s going to kill herself. Even saying it was “in progress,” which hasn’t been true. She’s told him she’s pregnant, then says she had an abortion, then says she’s pregnant again. This has been going on for a couple of months.

Clearly she’s seeking his attention and lying. There’s no chance they are getting back together; he thinks she’s absolutely crazy. But he contacted me because he’s afraid she might actually hurt herself.

I’ve asked her about it and her response is that he’s lying. He sent me screenshots, so I know he’s not. Our family walks on eggshells around her. She has a temper and lies constantly, so I can’t believe her at all. She will be home from college soon. I feel like this all needs to be addressed, but no one in my family will do it. What should I do? — Crazy Sister?

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