If a teenager is bipolar and refused to be diagnosed.?

Question

Will she get worse later if she does not take any meds.

I'm not sure whether she is bipolar or not.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Ike, and I'm bipolar, and was diagnosed when I was 45 and I wish I had been diagnosed earlier. I started having problems when I was 13, thinking of ways to committ suicide, and feeling rejection from others all the time. Yes, I personally believe she will get worse later. However, in AA I learned, "you can't change others, only ourselves." You may not have to change, but you may have to learn coping skills to deal with a teen that isn't diagnosed as being bipolar. Sadly to say, and one of the hardest lessons, is, she has the right to refuse help. She may be a teen, your teen, but she still has the right to refuse help from a doctor and a diagnosis. Go to the Library and YOU read up on bipolar in teens yourself, get as much education as you can in learning about the illness and it's symptoms; join a 12-Step program, such as Ala-Non. (even though your teen may not be drinking, the program teaches you how to "let go" and detach enough so you can have a good quality of life. Remember, if you aren't having one, you can't help her find one.) The 12-Step program is a program for those that are affected by alcohol, drugs, or other dysfunctional, codependent behavior of our loved one; and we begin to learn that its ourselves that needs the help as well as the one affected. But we aren't capable of helping them, if we aren't helping oruselves first. Faith also goes a long ways in dealing with teens, faith in yourself, in your God, and asking and praying for God's peace to be upon you. His peace isn't the same as the world gives us, but it transcends all what the world gives us, and he wil give it to you instantly.

Answer 2

Bipolar diagnosis in teens is very difficult at best, even for a professional. However, if your 'friend' really does suffer from Bipolar Disorder (which is a VERY serious mental illness, BTW, not just "feeling really happy then reallly sad"), then rest assured that it will get worse over time.

You may wish to point out to your 'friend' that untreated, Bipolar Disorder carries a 20-25% risk of suicide, and 15% of bipolars succeed.

Look up the symptoms on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder

Answer 3

Failure to seek proper diagnosis for symptoms of manic-depressive illness is not a good idea. This person can form unhealthy opinions of themselves due to the guilt and responses they experience from actions they display in front of other people. This can eventually lead to a very negative self image. That is what never really gets better. They may only get help by seeking a good therapist. Whereas, if she takes medication, her brain chemicals can help her get a hold on the extreme emotional fluctuations. Many meds available today are extremely helpful and if you find the right one, you will not feel any different physically, you will simply not have the dramatic highs and lows to deal with.

Answer 4

Yes, she will get worse without meds. And if she is REALLY smart, she'd realize it would be so much easier to learn to control this now than later on. The meds will make her "feel funny" at first, but think of it this way...if you were born with a broken leg, and limped all your life, then a doctor came along and fixed it, it would feel funny at first, too, but you would still get used to it. Good luck!

Answer 5

There is a big chance that a person with bipolar who refused to be diagnose to get worst and may lead to neurosis

Answer 6

No one can say for certain, but most mental illnesses left untreated tend to get worse over time. This goes for manic depressives (bipolar) or any other conditions.

Answer 7

Trade her, bribe her, whatever it takes to get her evaluated. This having been said, Doc's have been writing scrips for "kid control" meds, like they used to pass out lollipops.

I believe to a certain extent we are all bi polar, and often the cause is NOT that clear.

I had two extremely bright, contentious kids, at times I thought perhaps they were too contentious.

I took my son to the Doctor and he prescribed one of the "kid control" drugs and I gave him precisely 1 dose.

He was calm, but he wasn't happy. He was a zombie.

He is 35 and doing fine without drugs.

What is often labled OCD is usually really bright kids, who when their hormones kick in, are sort of flumoxed.
So they act out.

Birth to Death it is all about hormones.

Patience will tax your sanity now, but lead to calm later.
Honest.

Answer 8

yes, she will get worse. she needs to see a good psychiatrist who can put her on the proper medication(s). she just needs to accept the fact she needs medication for bi-polar disorder. other people have other ailments and get those taken care of. why should this teenager suffer? she will have a much happier life on the meds.

Answer 9

yes, the major side effects of bipolarism does not generally surface until the 20s

Answer 10

i dont know about gettin worse but if u get diagnosed u could at least feel better cause they can get u on the right medication to get u on track good luck