How can I get help, I think I'm bipolar?
Question:
from recent (within the last 6 months) visits 2 doctors for various things they have commeneted that they think i have an anxiety disorder (panic disorder to be exact and possibly other disorders). Whenever they bring it up I always deny it cause i don't like to talk about my feelings and i never tell anything to my parents (my parents r always with me when i go 2 da doctors). So I havn't been diagnosed with anything yet. Anyway, it's been gettin worse lately. Also, from some other of the symptoms im gettin i think I may hav bipolar. I read up on it on the internet and i took test which say i am most likely already bipolar. It is getting worse, i get periods of depression and mania and it is so freakin annoyin. How can i get help?I can't talk 2 my parents. It's makin my life so hard, What can I do?
Answers:
You need to bite the bullet and get diagnosed: speak to a psychologist - not psychiatrist. Most times, when the individual is extreme, the psychologist will refer them to a psychiatrist, who may be able to prescribe medication that will alleviate some symptoms.
When speaking to the psychologist: tell them the truth; don't worry about what they want to hear; don't fear what their diagnosis may be.
You need to be honest with them about what you're going through so they can come to the best conclusion/diagnosis for you.
If you don't feel you can trust them or that they aren't listening as you would like them to: go to another. It's trial and error, finding a good therapist.
But you have to do it, especially if you think you're bi-polar.
You've checked the symptoms, you've taken an online test - have you seen the suicide rate of bi-polar patients?
Get diagnosed. Save a few lives: the lives of the people that love you and don't want to see you suffer.
It's hard for them to watch someone they care for go through something they may not even understand. Help them by helping yourself.
talk about that one thing you are terrified about talking about with the person it involves. short of that, you are just going to run around trying a bunch of drugs for no reason.
You HAVE to go to your parents. Being 16 and having guardians, not many people are goign to take you seriously. Just sit your parents down, look them in the eyes, and tell them what you're experiencing. They will understand, and if they refuse to do anything to help you or say your just being childish, they obviously aren't the best parents.
See site below for self help with bipolar. Tells about a book about it by a celebrity. Then it has a link to a page to help with anxiety and panic.
Hun! You need to talk to the doctor about it. That is how you get help! You sound like you might be bipolar, so why not get checked out, tell the doctor you want to keep it confidential, unless your a danger to your self or others, I believe they have to. You can do it! You are a smart girl! Go see your doctor and get the help you need today! hugs!
be brave talk to yr folks , when ure 16 most people think that they are messed up , its simple u say this bi polar crap , if u want to be apatient then go ahead but ill tell u its best to think of yrself as normal , when u are actually bipolar trust me everyone in yr house will know , i dont think u quite understand what mania is , ask someone who actually suffers from manic depression he'll tell u , it doest happen everyday those are only mood swings , mania is a rollercoaster that u cant get of , dont play with this shi , next thing ull be on damn pills thrice a day its no fun , so as a friend im telling u to get this out of yr head and be normal , dont cultivate yr bipolar side no matter how fun it is because a day comes when its no longer in your control , that the day u lose your mind , and i dont mean like u start acting like yr crazy , its much worse , it like u feel retarded its a scary thing to be feeling retarded when yr not
I can imagine how hard it is, but you need to force yourself to talk to someone about it, preferrably with a doctor. When I was your age I had a pretty minor problem which I never told anyone about and now it has grown into a much, much larger problem which is hard to solve. If you have to, try going to see a doctor without your parents knowing. Or maybe tell a friend or someone you can trust and let them help you sort it out. Just don't leave it - it will only get worse! Try not to worry about it too much though, it is possible that it is something that can be easily fixed, it may not be bipolar at all.
Bipolar, can be medically treated with medication for life. The biggest problem with this is the person usually is not aware that they need to keep taking their medication when they go through these mood swings.
You are going to need parental help, no doctor can treat you without parental permission.
First, don't try to diagnose yourself. Stop lying to the doctors. They can't correctly diagnose you and they don't read minds so you need to talk to them.
Make an appointment with a psychologist for a full psychological evaluation. You might need a referral from your regular physician and the appointment takes quite a while. After that, they will decide if you need medication. The medication that they prescribe at first may or may not be the right type for you but you have to let them know. As it was explained to me, the medication is like trying on a pair of jeans. Sometimes you have to try on a different pair until you find one that fits.
Asthma: learn and use the Buteyko breathing technique. See bipolar disorder, and panic attacks, on pages 5 and 8, and read pages 1, and 2, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris... and view the 1-800-therapist site.
Please, find another adult, be it a family member (aunt, uncle, cousin,grandparent etc.) a trusted friend or teacher.to talk to, print out a copy of this question or just tell them outright what you are experiencing and what these doctors have told you...It is IMPERATIVE (CRITICAL) that you find somebody to talk to SOON. The sooner the better!!
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