Can somebody please tell me an easy way to tell my mom I want to see a psychiatrist?

Question

I'm 13 and think I have a mental disorder, and I don't know how to tell my mom. Help!

I've done some research, and 13-year-olds can get mental disorders.

I should find this easy to talk to my mom, because she's a social worker who works with mentally disabled people, but that just seems to make it even harder to me. That's how I know a lot about mental disorders and things.

The one that I think I may POSSIBLY (although I'm not sure) have, doesn't have to do with smarts or anything with puberty, really. It has to do with the way I like things done and the way I do things. It also has to do with the thought running through my head.

Truth be told, seeing this particular disorder in a teenager is rare in females. Usually, it shows up in the early 20s.

A little more info about me: I'm a straight-A homeschool student, which sometimes makes me feel lonely. Yeah, I have friends and I have fun, but I still feel really lonely.

Answer 1

Tell your mom that you have anxiety or troublesome thoughts that are keeping you from living your life. Tell her that these thoughts are keeping you from enjoying things that you normally do. Tell her that you're afraid of getting worse, and you really want to get better. If she doesn't listen, talk to your school counselor. Maybe he or she can help talk to your mom.

Answer 2

I went through the same thing. From the time I was about 14, I knew something wasn't right. I was too scared to tell my parents because I didn't really want to be labeled as "the crazy one". So I ended up doing a lot of things when I was younger that I regret, and maybe had I got help, I could have prevented some. Anway, needless to say, I waited up until my first semester of college when I finally just mentally crashed. So I went up to my parents and said "Look, somethings not right" " I want to get help" and they said "ok". Talking about mental illness maybe be taboo, but you have to break the ice! Just be blunt. It's the only way they'll listen, trust me!

Answer 3

I can't say there is necessarily an easy way, it all depends on what kind of a relationship you have with your mother. I know that when I was a little older than you I started to have a lot of problems in school and socially and I guess I was lucky that my parents noticed this and they brought up the subject and off I went for help. Hated the therapist, in hindsight, but she did save my life and got me throught a tough spot, so whatever you do, stick to it, and get to a shrink, I know I've been going on and off until I found the right one and I have a lot of mental and physical problems and have been going for years, but this isn't what you asked, I'm just trying to start this off by giving you some strength to stick to your guns and do it.
Best thing to do is, if you have a good relationship, be honest, be up front. There is nothing wrong with going to a therapist these days, and you should probably sit down with your mother and start a conversation. Start talking about school, how you are doing, mention things about friends, etc. In all of this point out some failings that are happening, maybe a fight with a friend, some problem in school, get her prepped for the fact that things aren't all smooth in your life, then as you two are having a nice conversation tell her you are down and having problems coping and you think you need more help then your family can provide. Tell her that you have done a lot of thinking about it, you can even mention that you posted on line, if you think it won't freak her out too much, and that you know you just feel that it's time for you to see a shrink. Also, ok, it' been a long time since I've been in school, so excuse me if I sound silly, and I don't have any kids, but stick with me I'm trying, ok, I would guess they still have student counsellors in school. I know ours weren't of much help, but in a situation like this, it might be helpful to talk to your counselor, or any teacher that you feel comfortable with. I had an English teacher and a gym teacher who I could talk to and ask questions to before I hit my folks up with some biggies, even things about going off to college and took my teachers thoughts over my folks. So, maybe it would help to have a teacher behind you to support your thoughts that you need a little help. I really don't think you have a mental disorder, and I'm not putting you down on that one. I think you are going through puberty, which in itself is like a mental disorder, and it will probably work itself out, but hell, I wish I had had someone to talk me through it. Don't be so hard on yourself, most people think they have a disorder when alll they have is a common sense or lack of sense of who they really are. No easy way but to face the topic straight on with some sweetness.
IF you don't have a good relationship, well, then I'd go the route of going to the school counselor and letting him/her be with you when you speak to your parent and have them back you up that you need some help. Also, don't know your religion, but I would think that maybe you can get some help in broaching the topic with parent if necessary, if you aren't on good terms. Wouldn't use that route unless you have to.
I truly hope I have helped. Believe me I do feel for you and wish I could do more.

Answer 4

Find a time when your mom is not distracted to talk to her. Just come out and tell her that you have concerns about your mental health and would like to talk to a professional about them. You can see a psychologist as well as a psychiatrist.

Answer 5

Be honest with her about what you think is wrong or she'll think you are just complaining.

Sadly most parents don't take teens seriously and just as sadly most teens do not get into a qualified specialist who will take the time to properly diagnose your condition.

Be careful there are a lot of bad therapists out there who just drug everyone. Ask kids you know who see a therapist who they see and if that person is helping, do they listen. That way you can say to your mom, I've asked around and this therapist sounds good. Make sure you see a therapist or find the name of one who specializes in CHILD PSYCOLOGY, adult therapists often are not qualified to diagnose problems in teens. Teens often have unique symptoms.

If she says no after you ask, you need to give her details as to how you feel, the problem you are having, so see can see you are serious and are not just jumping to conclusions.

If you really feel something is wrong that you need mental health help for, don't give up if she brushes you off or won't take it seriously. You may need to go talk to another adult, a pastor, bishop and see if they'll go with you to talk to your mom. I'd talk to your schools counselor last. WHY? Because it will become part of your record what you tell him or her.

If you are suicidal, go to your community hospital and tell them you want help if your mother refuses to get you in to see someone. IF you are poor you'll never see a Psychiatrist or Psychologist, you'll get a social worker. If you know your parents have insurance that covers mental health, then I'd recommend a Psychologist. WHY? They don't run for the drugs, and they do more testing, evaulation of the problem adn they listen better, at least most do. Psychiatrists are doctors who prescribe drugs for mental health problems, they do much less therapy. Social Workers help poor people through county mental health centers, sadly most are under trained.

I wish you the best, I too asked my parents for help when I was 12 adn they said no, no, no. I ended up with so many problems and hospitalized later on, because they chose not to allow me to get the help I knew I needed when I was 12.


When you talk to your mom, ask for her to make a time when you can talk alone in the next day or so. Tell her you have a serious issue to discus with her and you want no one else around. Tell her, if you are praying people, to pray before you and her talk, because you really need her to listen to you adn take seriously the issue you want to discus with her. Then you pray for help to explain in detail, well, to her what exactly you are experiencing and why you feel you need to see a therapist.

Be prepared with a list of symptoms to back what you think is wrong. Such as with depression. I'm down all the time. I don't feel like doing anything. I think about hurting myself or suicide. Things like that, be specific about what howyou feel, what thoughts you are having, behaviors that you think are part of the problem, etc. She's more likely to take you serious if you give her specifics of what is going on and specifics to back why you feel you need to see a therapist.

KEEP TRYING IF SHE DOESN'T LISTEN THE FIRST TIME.

I'll be praying that your mother listens to you.

Answer 6

You are not capable of diagnosing a mental disorder. Go to your regular doctor and tell him if you have some problem. He will refer you to the appropriate help if you really need it.

Answer 7

The first thing you need to do is see your regular doctor. Once you see your regular doctor he/she will determine if you need to see a psych doc. Tell your mom your not feeling real well and want an appointment with your regular doc and then talk to your doc and he will take things from there.

Answer 8

If you find it difficult to talk to your mother, try writting her a letter with all the facts, and then wait for her response. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 9

see the school nurse - tell her all your symptoms & then go from there