Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 4/20/2011

Question
My adult daughter has again gone off her medication. It is so hard to deal with all the issues.She believes she no longer needs medication and to convince her to take her medication is close to impossible. She has a young daughter that has been on a roller coaster with her choices.She is currently planning on leaving the country for an extended period of time. Those who don't know her diagnosis are encouraging her. I can't control her and don't want to but am very concerned for my grand daughter. Is there anything I can do? She uses my grand daughter as a pawn, when she gets mad at me I can't see my grand daughter.How do I explain to people supporting her that she is in a manic state and may crash when she's out of the country,leaving my grand daughter at risk.

Answer
Linda:

As a grandparent, you have certain rights.  Unfortunately, you will have to go the legal route if your daughter does not listen.  I would suggest going to the Domestic Relations department of your county courthouse and explain the situation and then follow their process.

Options could include asking for a joint custody situation, in which you would have to approve any moves or you could request medicine compliance be made mandatory for her if she is to keep custody of her daughter.

There is really no way you can talk with her friends if they have already chosen not to listen and, being an adult, you have no control over your daughter's actions.  Your only course of action if talking does not work is to make things legal.

                                   Joyce A. Anthony