I seriously think I'm suffering form bipolar depression...?

Question

Help please.
This is no joke, and I can't actually believe I'm asking this here.
I have researched the stages of depression out of personal interest, and recently read an article in a good magazine about it.
I've been very down and out, for about six years, and from the details and signs, I have a strong belief that I'm suffering from bipolar depression.
How do I get my parents to take this seriously?
They're going through a lot of stress right now, and I don't want to upset them even more.
Is it possible for me to ease my symptoms or cure myself with doing certain things? Like things I enjoy doing, only doing it more often, like painting or writing? Or should I get professional help?
I believe in the latter more right now, since the other one has ceased to help.
I'm not suicidal, truly. But I do feel that dead people are so lucky.
I simply feel hollow, yet bursting with emotion at the same time.
It's difficult to explain.

Answer 1

If you are envying dead people, you're not in such a good place. I've been in this situation and worse and I know what I'm supposed to tell you. The right answer is that you need to talk to your parents about your feelings and explain your desire to want to seek help. Get the help of a qualified mental health professional to get treated properly with the right medications and after doing so you will live happily ever after just like a Zyprexa commercial.

Now what I'm not supposed to say. Yes, you can improve your outlook by doing activities like painting or writing, but only if they are positive subjects, as opposed to say death and destruction and misery. You can get involved with volunteer groups to make a positive impact on the world. You can research cognitive behavior therapy and break down a lot of your sadness into the why's and learn to stop some of the painful thoughts before they happen. You can realize that even if you're folks are stressed it doesn't mean you don't need to get attention, too. You really do have the power to change your mind, and your nuerochemistry, by positive thinking.

I am not saying that positive thinking is easy or that if you really really want to get medication that you shouldn't go get it, especially if you do start to feel suicidal, I am just saying that the mental health proffession, in my own experience mind you, has a way of simply throwing very strong medications at people and simply forgetting about them. Always remember that you have a choice in the medications that you do or don't take or in the therapist or doctor who is treating you.

Life sucks sometimes, especially when we are teenagers. You're not alone in to feeling ennui. If your family is under stress, it's going to impact you, there's no doubt about it.

Please remember though no matter what route you choose, whether you decide to seek treatment or not, the loss by suicide of any of the members of mankind lessens us all. People really do care about each other.

Answer 2

I've been depressed but atheism really has nothing to do with it. When I was 9, way before I even gave a crap about religion and called myself Catholic just for the hell of it (since my family is Catholic), I'd already begun saying thinks like, "I wish I would die in a car crash!" I'm not sure if it's just chronic depression, or some underlying undiagnosed problem - lately I've been researching on Asperger's Syndrome... it's not depression, it's a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum, but depression could be a side effect because of my social difficulties. lol

Answer 3

You have to talk to your parents about seeing a doctor. Mood disorders are very treatable and there is no reason to continue to suffer needlessly from this. Since you've read up on bipolar disorder and think you have bipolar depression I'm assuming you've had symptoms of mania or hypomania in the past. Bipolar Disorder is a genetic, biological illness that requires medication. If you've never had significant symptoms of mania then you may have dysthymia or chronic major depressive disorder. Sometimes milder depressions can be eased by reducing stressors, exercise, a better diet, etc. I really advise you to seek professional help. Sometimes physical illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, can cause depressive symptoms so it's best to see a doctor.

Answer 4

Unfortunitely parents have a tendency to brush off their teens concerns as being dramatic or just for attention. While you shouldn't take it upon yourself to diagnose a mental illness you are at the age where they start to appear. I had similar concerns when I was your age and my parents just thought I was being silly. Unfortunitely they let it go to far and I was diagnosed with clinical depression which, luckly I no longer suffer from but I remember being very scared back then.

So how do you get diagnosed and treated with out your parents. First try and get into see your family doctor with out one of your parents there and explain it to them. They should send you for an assessment with a psychiatrist. If you can't do that then go to a counciler at your school and explain it to them. They are actually usually pretty good at dealing with those things. Another option is to go to a teen counciling centre. They will take that type of thing seriously.

Do not try and wait it out or cure it yourself. You will just sink deeper and deeper into your own dispare. I really get what you are saying because I remember feeling that way too once. Get help before it is too late.

If you want to talk you can email me.

Take care.

Answer 5

No one can diagnose you on-line but there is a very good chance that you are bipolar. The things you describe are almost exactly the way I was before I began treatment. I strongly suggest that you see a doctor about this. Your primary care physician is a good place to start. He/She can diagnose and treat you or can recommend a good doctor for you. There is no reason that you should live as you have been when treatment is so easily available. I do know a little about this since I am 47 years old and have lived with this disorder since I was about 6 or 7 years old.

Sincerely,
Terry
E-mail: [e-mail]

Visit "Our Bipolar World" my personal website at:
http://www.ourbipolarworld.com/

Answer 6

From what you say, it sounds more like you are depressed--not bipolar.

Print the depression test and bipolar test (google it), fill them out honestly and then show your parents or close relative. If positive for either, the problem is caused by a chemical imbalance and you need medication or talk therapy.

There are many effective treatments for depression (and not that expensive) so get some professional help and life will look much better to you.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Tell your parents, and make sure they take this seriously.

I've suffered from depression for as long as I can remember, as early as age five I started having dreams and thoughts of suicide. I never told my parents because I thought it would worry them. I thought I was crazy, so I tried to hide it. I never told anyone, and I can't begin to tell you how much I regret that. I just let it go, let it ruin my life, lead me to make bad choices.

There are a lot of things you can do, your ideas are good... but they don't always work. Or they may work for a while.

What you're thinking and feeling is completely normal for someone with depression, and it's a really good thing you can talk about it. Make sure you keep doing it. It can help with the confusion of emotions that you go through, such as feeliing hollow at the same time you're bursting with emotions.

Careful with the writing... i know I write SOOOOO well when I'm depressed, sometimes I find that it helps, but other times it seems to feed it, and I let it because i like the results. does that make sense?

Get help. Talk to your parents, and be completely honest with them. Living with depression really sucks, i'm finally getting it under control... I've had a lot of counseling and i'm on medication. The sooner you begin to take care of it, the better.

if you have any questions, or just need to talk, you can contact me anytime.

Answer 8

I have a friend who is Bipolar, and when he is manic, it's really out of control, like he had to be hospitalized. I think if you went through the manic stage, your parents would have realized it by now! You are probably deeply depressed and when it eases up you feel better, but it isn't as extreme as being manic. You can't diagnose yourself with online quizzes or reading articles, you need to go to your school counselor or church counselor and let them refer you to a professional who can help you. Depression is really common, so don't feel too alienated, you can find a forum online to discuss your feelings until you can find a counselor. If you want to help your symptoms, try working out, it releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel better and will help you sleep better if you have a problem with that too.

Answer 9

Maybe you should go see someone. If your parents aren't taking you seriously, maybe you could go to your counselor at school or there are hot lines that you could call, where people are there to listen to your problems. Even if you have a close relative like a aunt/uncle or grandmother/grandfather you could speak to. Just find someone to listen to you and approach your parents with that person. If all else fails, go to see a doctor on your own and they will listen and also contact your parents if there is serious problems happening with you. I really hope you find the help you seek. Keep your chin up, life is a series of ups and downs. Believe me things will get better. Keep the faith! Also, keep painting and drawing!!! That is a gift that you possess.

Answer 10

I'm hearing/reading a lot of hurt here. Good on you for bringing it out in the open, and being brave enough to discuss it. What is it abou the way that you have been feeling that makes you feel like you have biopolar disorder? Are there people or professionals that you can turn to discuss things? Is there someone near at hand that you can talk to/go to if you feel like you may be in some danger of self-harm etc?