I think I'm bi-polar?

Question

I am 14 years old and everyone I talk to seems to associate my moods with adolecence, but I've started to notice that my mood swings are alot more violent than anybody else I know. One day I can wake up and be so unbelievably happy that I just forget everything thats bothering me and smile and laugh all day long. On other days I can wake up and feel so bad that I just want to die and spare everybody around me the hassle. I have started to take my frustration out on people around me and I feel like I'm an awful person because sometimes the things I do hurt people. I'm not an attention seeker, if I could stop feeling this way I would. I feel like people dismiss me because I'm a teenager when I think I'm mentally ill. I can go from extatic to suicidal in a matter of hours and its starting to drain me and the people I love, but I feel like I have no control over anything. I'm in desperate need of advice, what should I do?

Answer 1

If you get on meds while you are young you will be able to better tolerate the drugs thru your life. Meds alone don't do it though. You need to get counseling too. The sooner the better. check out the Bipolar Organisation at

http://www.mdf.org.uk for more info and help.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder is a serious illness, and one of the the biggest problems is that once you get picked up by 'the system' as mentally ill, you may never escape. That will have huge consequences for the rest of your life.

I speak as an adult bipolar, diagnosed at 41 but suffering from (I guess) about your age. I know that you've heard the whole 'adolescent moods' thing before, but I am sceptical that bipolar can really be diagnosed at your age. It may well be there, but I don't feel comfortable with the diagnosis. You're letting yourself in for a lifetime of medications with very nasty side effects and the stigma of mental illness.

My hesitation on the diagnosis comes from two things. First, the fact that bipolar disorder usually has cycles that are much longer than you describe, sometimes running to months on end, although ultra-rapid cycling bipolar is a possibility. Secondly, hypomania and mania is much more than feeling happy: it involves rapid, pressured speech, irritability, distractability, excessive risk taking, grandiosity, inflated self esteem, hypersexuality and even full blown delusions and hallucinations. At best, your judgement will be seriously compromised, and usually you will be unaware of your symptoms.

I agree that counselling may be the way to go now, and hope that these moods pass away. If you want to talk this through more, come and visit http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven

Answer 3

Mood swings in a bi-polar person don't usually shift so extremely in a matter of hours. However, a lot of what you are saying is consistent with the disease and you should probably get it checked out. I would start with a conselor at school--these people are paid for this sort of stuff and they can get the ball rolling by helping you talk to your parents and getting you medical attention if you need it for medication. If that is not an option, you can always try local shelters. A lot of them offer mental health counseling, but because you are a minor, you will still need your parents' permission to receive any kind of medication. I know your suffering all too well--I didn't get any help until I was almost 22. Good luck.

Answer 4

Well, the only way to find out whats going on is to talk to your mom and dad about this, and ask them if they can take you to a pshyciatrist or maybe just a doctor. Talk to them about how you feel. There is a possibility that you may just be bipolar but you might not be. So just make sure you can talk to your counselour at school though before going to your parent/ gaurdian. And if they tell you maybe your best bet is to talk to your parent/ gaurdian then do so. Or maybe you can even talk to some of your friends about the situation. So I hope all of my words will help you out! There might also be a possibility that you have ADD or ADHD because my best friend has it and so does my teacher. They have some of the same symptoms as you, but I can tell you some advice: Don't committ suicide. Note this is coming from a teen just like you, I am 13. Just don't committ suicide and just try to figure out whats going on. Have a serious talk with a parent, and hopefully you will be able to figure out whats up. I doubt that it is adolecence or pubirty that has you like this. I know kind of what your talking about because I have a friend thats bipolar or seems to be but dont talk yourself down and have confidence in yourself! That's my motto!

~Good Luck~

Answer 5

If you're able, you should have a very serious conversation with one or both of your parents. If this is not possible, I would recommend that you talk to a school nurse or school counselor and tell them about the things you have described here. Be very honest and be as open as you are able to be. A good counselor will listen to you and ask good questions; a really good counselor will speak with your parents and make recommendations. The best place to start is with your doctor.

If you do not feel that any of these options will work for you - or if in fact they do not work for you, then....and I hate to recommend this because it isn't totally honest...but if I were as desparate as you sound, I would fake a physical illness to get to see a doctor. All you need is to get your foot in the door, so to speak. Once you're there, you can speak with the doctor about the things that are going on, and you should definitely be able to get some help that way.

I have a fourteen-year-old son, and I would hope that he never feels as you do. But if he did...and he had to use deception to get to a doctor..and then I were faced with the fact that something was really wrong, I would never be angry with him for 'faking' to get to a doc. I would feel terrible that I had missed the signs, but I would also be glad that he finally found a way to make me see the problem.

I hope that you are able to get some help!

Answer 6

Even tho you are only 14 you just posted a question like a adult. That is great that you can see that something is wrong with you and that your looking for help. I think you just might have it. Reason being is my older brother has it and its the same things that your saying. He started to take medicine for it and it got better. Please believe that your not the only one out there sweety. And if you know your in the wrong and it drains you to hurt the people you love baby that is the first step of recovery. You know its wrong your not mental so stop saying so. If you where you wouldn't realize that you need help and your seeking it. I can't tell you what to do but you should tell your parents you want help if you have a good relationship with them. I wish all the best and just breath and think before you take action. You are loved...if you haven't heard it in a while, well there you go!! Peace and Love

Answer 7

I have felt that way as well, and being a teen doesnt always make it any easier. Its like people just assume its all mood swings when really you feel like there could be something wrong with yourself. My first suggestion would be to ask you parents for some professional help. Counselors will be able to help you figure out what the problem is and possibly medicate you.

Answer 8

or you may just be really depressed. only doctors can diagnose bi-polar disorder. what you should do is tell your parents IMMEDIATELY that you have had thoughts of suicide and need to see your family doctor asap. if you don't feel that you can talk to them about this at all or if they ignore your needs, then you should go and talk to a guidance counselor at school or a trusted teacher. it is important that you take care of this because THERE IS HELP. by the way, you aren't CRAZY. so many people have depression and bi-polar disorder... it is unbelievable. so, you are actually more common than what you think.

just don't ever give up. take the first step & help yourself.

you CAN feel good again!

Answer 9

Go see a doctor about your things. See a priest, see a guidance counsellor. Open up your mouth and say Om, a sacred syllable used in meditation. It also helps calm the person down. Go talk to a parent, talk to a neighbor, talk to a sister or brother. If you can't find anyone around, go on -- line, there are tons of people that will help, like me. I'm the_post2001. Anyway, there's all kinds of places where you can go that you can get the help you need. Maybe you don't need help, just a little love and I'm sure there are people around that show that love you. With that, hopefully you will be fine.

Answer 10

Please understand something. I believe every word you are saying is true. Please seek a doctor who you can speak to about this and he will make sure you become mentally stable with medication for this illness. I also take medication for this illness which I am speaking out on because I believe it is so...widespread these days.
I take medication for being bipolar as well. My doctor has me on Tegertol for the mood swings and Risperdal for getting plenty of rest throughout my busy day.
I understand how you must feel right now, but please know you can seek help and answers to your difficult questions through doctors, pharamists, counselors, pastors, the works....
I even felt suicidual at age 15, I am now going on 29 very soon.
Praise the Lord! Jesus always understands what your going through. You can always say a sweet prayer to Him. Remember you are more than a conquer in Christ Jesus. Don't let anyone tell you any different girlfriend. Please seek a doctor who can help you through these difficult times. I went to Philhaven at 15 and 18 . They have a wonderful adolecence unit just for teenagers just like you. Don't ever be afraid of this disorder. Please do not end your life over this. There are ways to handle being bipolar. Please try de-caff tea, stay away from red 40 drinks
exercise,take up a hobby you enjoy, keep focused on a daily routine to follow everyday, understand your limitations, get plenty of rest, take naps, when you can't handle someone give yourself a quiet break, read the bible, enjoy a great novel, watch a great movie, surround yourself with friends and family who understand you. I remember how to felt to get angry! Is wasn't fun. Apologize to those you hurt, forgive them. I'm sure they still love you.
Write in a journal all of those crazy nagging frustrating thoughts!
Use this experience to make you stronger! Keep focused on all the positive stuff in your life. Seek counseling if need be.
Please see doctor who can help regulate you on medication.
Most of all God bless you.

Answer 11

I think you should talk to a counselor about how you are feeling. You may also want to get a full physical work up, with blood work, to see if your hormones are out of whack or if you have thyroid problems. Rule out some other things before you label yourself bi-polar. If you in fact are, you will go to counseling and most likely be put on medication to help control your mood swings.