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[smurfingtonthethird]

He's always been annoying and easy to anger, but he's borderline acute bipolar now. Even the slightest rebuttal to his annoying activities turns him into an angry idiot who wants to fight. I can deal with the fighting, but it's been getting downright murderous. Any tips on how to defuse the problem before he either kills me or I have to seriously hurt him?

[Yoink]

Could you just lock him in a room with a cat-flap and pass him food and drink through it? Or would people notice he was missing?

Seriously, though (I'm assuming you wouldn't like that idea), I think the only real sensible solutions would involve getting him professional help, which might be difficult depending on your situation and how old he is. Or perhaps just avoid him, but again, that might be difficult depending on the situation. We require more data! Probably.

[DJ]

Just slap him really hard when he starts to act up. My older brother did that to me, and I turned out fine.

[smurfingtonthethird]

Heh, data you shall receive. He's about 14, average student, massive gaming fan. Spends most of his free time either drawing or playing Terraria. Professional help is probably a no, avoidance is tricky since he annoys me endlessly for his own amusement, and quantum slapping him will just end in another fight.

On my part, I am a bit of a jerkass to him. He is a pain in the butt, though.

[DJ]

If he's still up for a fight after a slap, you haven't slapped him hard enough.

[smurfingtonthethird]

What, knock him out?

The last time I hit him he whipped out a knife. That is not a good sign.

[Yoink]

The last time I hit him he whipped out a knife. That is not a good sign.

Spoiler: Solution (click to show/hide)

[Jelle]

Angry brother with a knife seems like a serious problem. I'd probably resort to defending myself with sufficient force if it were to come to that point. A point to be avoided for sure.

Where do the parents stand on this?

[cerapa]

Angry brother with a knife seems like a serious problem. I'd probably resort to defending myself with sufficient force if it were to come to that point. A point to be avoided for sure.

The knife seemed to be retaliation for the hitting. Defending himself with sufficient force was literally what he was doing.

Seriously, is everyone here joking, or actually advocating physical violence? Especially when the problem was that smurfingtonthethird didn't want to have to fight him.

What are the specific annoying activities?

[Knick]

My only suggestions:
1.  Don't hit, don't use violence.  It won't help.  Don't listen to someone who tells you to retaliate.
2.  Fourteen is not always a fun time for a boy, so there might be lots more going on.  I had a lot more conflict with my father at that age then almost any other.
3.  A diagnosis for any sort of illness needs to be done by a professional.  Not the internet. 
4.  If you are being threatened, talk to your parents.  It's good to talk to someone else who has your brothers best interest at heart.
5.  Don't escalate.  It makes you the enemy.  And don't be a pain in the butt to him either! 
6.  Did I mention not to hit or use violence?  That one is kind of important.

[Jelle]

Seriously, is everyone here joking, or actually advocating physical violence? Especially when the problem was that smurfingtonthethird didn't want to have to fight him.

I am dead serious. This is no joking matter. Nor am I by any means advocating a confrontation, do not put words in my mouth.

What I did say is when it does come to it you cannot ignore the behavior or try to appease, that will only empower it. When someone pulls a potentially lethal weapon on you, you sure as hell should defend yourself apropriately. Better to avoid escelation and deal with the behavior before it spins out of hand of course, exactly how is what we should figure out if we want to help.

3.  A diagnosis for any sort of illness needs to be done by a professional.  Not the internet. 
4.  If you are being threatened, talk to your parents.  It's good to talk to someone else who has your brothers best interest at heart.

Quoting for emphasis.

[kaijyuu]

Any significant amount of violence means the kid needs professional help.


I would disagree with anyone who says to return the violence, except if you feel life or limb is threatened and you can't run away. You don't want to be a hypocrite to someone like this. Take all the high grounds, moral or otherwise.

[Knick]

Any significant amount of violence means the kid needs professional help.


I would disagree with anyone who says to return the violence, except if you feel life or limb is threatened and you can't run away. You don't want to be a hypocrite to someone like this. Take all the high grounds, moral or otherwise.

Agreed.  Especially if the issue is an annoying brother.  Defend, don't attack!

[smurfingtonthethird]

So, lure him into professional help, hold the line and avoid him? Sounds like a plan.

[Zrk2]

He's always been annoying and easy to anger, but he's borderline acute bipolar now. Even the slightest rebuttal to his annoying activities turns him into an angry idiot who wants to fight. I can deal with the fighting, but it's been getting downright murderous. Any tips on how to defuse the problem before he either kills me or I have to seriously hurt him?

Pull an Ender, minus the killing bit. Or don't, depending. Can you win easily? It all depends upon that.