My doctor has refered be me going to talk to somebody professionally about whats been going on with me because she doesnt know if im bipolar ... depressed .. or just anxiety attacks!! Can anybody help me in telling me how they dianosge these things. Im actually kinda freaked about it becuase the outcomes suck either way!!!!! I am 19 yrs old and Going to see somebody doesnt cost money(free mental health clinc)
Please help
2007-03-06 15:49:57 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I wouldn't get all freaked out about it. A good doctor will be able to accurately diagnose whats wrong with you. There are certain behavioral criteria; if you meet a certain number of them, its a diagnosis.
I'm 2 months shy of 21 and have dealt with anxiety attacks and rapid cycing bipolar disorder my entire life. I've been on about 6 different anti-depressants and 3 different mood-stabilizers. I've finally found a combination that actually works for me and life is fantastic!
Being diagnosed with a mental illness doesn't mean that your life is over. Once you get over the intital problems of working out medications and treatment strategies and find something that works for you, life gets so much better.
Two years ago I was non-functioning; I'm now married, have a great job with fantastic benefits and am putting my husband through college. If my illness had gone untreated I wouldn't be where I am today.
2007-03-06 16:13:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't fret too much. It sounds sucky to be diagnosed with a mental health problem, but it's much better than going undiagnosed. None of it's fun, but it's all dealable with the proper help.
Diagnosis will depend on your symptoms. Depression is pretty much what you think it is- being down, feeling like it's not worth getting out of bed, maybe thoughts of suicide, feeling grey. Everyone has episodes, but it's a disorder when it's continually like that beyond a few rainy days or a tragic event. Bipolar disorder adds periods of mania- you go way up, then you go way down. Friend of mine was roommates with a manic-depressive who had been on "manic" for four years. Interesting times. Anxiety attacks are periods of intense panic. They are not fun. Some people get them fairly often, and they have anxiety disorder. Fairly often's relative- a former boss got them maybe a few times a year, but she qualified for a disorder.
If you're diagnosed with any of these, there are treatments. Meds help a lot. Don't worry about a stigma taking them. If you've got a disorder, you need your meds in the same way a diabetic needs insulin. Therapy may help, too. You can talk out whatever it is that sends you into your attacks and learn ways of dealing with the disorder and the triggers. The most important thing, though, is to get the help you need.
2007-03-07 00:22:52 · answer #2 · answered by random6x7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have depression and the first time I went to a psychiatrist they asked me a bunch of questions about how I feel and then they prescribed me medicine. It actually felt good to talk to someone other than my husband because they are professionals. I wasn't freaked because I knew that they would help me. I've had depression since I was 22. It does suck but it happens to the best of us. They diagnose you by the answer that you give them to the questions about how you are feeling. I actually broke down crying when I went. I didn't think I would do that because I don't like to cry in front of other people. It felt good to get it out though. I hope your appointment goes well.
2007-03-07 00:27:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, the outcomes don't suck.
second, they are all treatable, hun.
they will talk to you. usually that's all there is. they'll ask you questions, talk about your past, the present and what you want out of the future.
i think it's great you can seek help at a free clinic. take advantage of it so you can get help for whatever it going on and then you can be on the road to a happy and healthy life.
2007-03-06 23:57:06 · answer #4 · answered by Carla S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mental health clinic is the right place to go they can diagnose the right condition.
2007-03-07 00:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by jump up 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
listen kid, your normal, dont let others tell you how you are when it is you who only knows yourself. remember that. if everyone tells you what you are then you will become that person. find out who you really are and what makes you happy and how you can end the anxiety.
2007-03-07 00:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by who me? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try meditating, read up on some buddhism,
you can control all of your thoughts that create your emotions
2007-03-06 23:55:14 · answer #7 · answered by ddcass 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋