i think i have a mental illness. what should i do?

Question

i want to go to a psychiatrist. (i spelled that wrong) but my parents don't think i should go, cause they said it's a waste of money, and say it's something that i can get it fixed by myself. but i think i'm bi-polar, cause i've always been having these ups & downs.. for example one day i'm so depressed and so hopeless, & then the next i'm really giddy, and happy etc.
i really want to if i really am bi-polar, but my parents treat it as a joke. i don't know what i should do anymore..please give me some good & helpful adivice..

thanks for your help.

i'm 16 years old.
also bad things have been going on in my life lately, my cousin died this year, my cat died last month

Answer 1

If you are 13 or over (at least in most states) you can go to a counselor without your parents having to know about it. Check first with your school counselor and he or she will be able to let you know what options are available to you. A psychiatrist (yes, you spelled it correctly!) is medically trained and can prescribe medication, but will also cost more money than a counselor. I would suggest trying counseling first before rushing into trying to get medication. After meeting with you, your counselor will be able to have an idea of whether you do have characteristics of bi-polar disorder, or if you are experiencing mood swings that are considered normal for your age and the stressors in your life. Everyone has ups and downs, but a counselor will be able to help you determine whether yours are severe enough to be considered a mental health disorder. Either way, counseling can be a huge help, even to those who don't have a diagnosis of a mental health disorder.

Answer 2

I am currently going for my masters in Psychology and your parents are wrong. Bi-Polar disorder, also known as Manic Depressant, is a serious and common condition. More than 50% of the US population suffer from some form of depression and that is just the ones who report it. Some have it worse than other and Bi-Polar is one of the worst. I also suffer from depression at times and voluntarily went to a Psychiatrist. He prescribed me Zoloft and I feel much better when on it. Your parents are not educated enough on the issue to make that decision. You know yourself better than anyone else and I think you should go. Health insurance usually pays for it and it will go a long way towards helping solve this issue. You definitely shouldn't listen to you parents on this issue, they are not ALWAYS right. Also, some might say to see a school coucelor but that may cause a negative stigma against you as these issues need to be kept confidential between you, your parents and your Doctor.

I would not speak with a school councelor as they are often under-educated and end up in the teachers lounge gossiping with the teachers and faculty.

Good luck and cheer up because you are smart enough to know that there is something going on inside your head and it takes a lot of bravery to be able to admit it to yourself. Taking this advice may cause you to have to spend a little money, but the results for the rest of your life are priceless!

Answer 3

let me share this answer from another question about one kind of mental illness-She says that thorough the day i remain normal but suddenly i start breathing high , my eyes turn red and they water and automatically i get tensed . Almost cant handle any situation and my voice will be like crying . Why this happens to me . Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

Your panic is felt as an emotion and as a heart beat that is way too fast. Your breathing accelerates. God can help you to learn about your body. The heart speed and breathing are controlled automatically by your auto brain or the lower brain. It can do weird things when chemicals in your brain fluid become unbalanced. When you have to relearn a wrong belief or an expectation has been proven wrong your upper brain changes the old belief and a waste product is released into the spinal fluid after the rethinking . This unbalanced chemical can affect your lower brain when it is not cleaned out by your blood. Exercising and emotional activity can stimulate circulation . Your panics will disappear when you avoid triggers for those feelings of depression or fear in your life and you keep active. Don't rely on pills to dull the brain

Answer 4

I am so sorry that your parents treat it like a joke, i think you are very brave admitting that you think you have a mental illness.You don't say how old you are ,what I'm trying to say is could you afford to pay a psychiatrist yourself.If not tell your parents you want Help BADLY .Or is there a number you can ring eg,in yhe uk here you can call athe samaritans ,and they are brilliant .Good Luck.

Answer 5

Believe in yourself. It is okay to want a diagnosis, to talk with someone about what you are experiencing.

I agree with folks here who suggest that you tell your doctor and/or go to school nurse or counselor.

Check directory assistance, is there any sort of crisis line that you can call? The one in my area gives free referrals to community resources. They also have trained volunteers to talk with.

Your experience counts. I know people, including family members, often misunderstand and even ridicule us. Keep the faith in yourself.

Remember to take all advice here with a large grain of salt. We don't know you, you don't know us. You are being courageous in facing what you are feeling and I think you will do fine when you talk to a trained health care person.

http://teenadvice.about.com/od/crisislinesadvice/Help_Lines_Support_Groups.htm

Answer 6

You are probably just typical teenager. In order to be diagnosed with a bipolar illness you have to have some very severe life impacting symptoms because of the behaviors

Answer 7

Talk to your doctor at your next appointment. Tell him what you just said. He'll recommend you go to your parents if he feels you should be checked out.

Answer 8

you don't mention your age. perhaps you could see your regular dr first. tell them what you're feeling.be honest. if they feel you need more help than they can give, they can talk to your parent and you about seeing a dr. that can help. maybe then, your parents will understand.

Answer 9

go to a counsiler at school. they can help you with something like this. i am sorry your parents arent taking you seriously. maybe if your counsiler thinks you have something that needs attention, she can tell them, and they will listen to her.

best of luck to you!

Answer 10

your not bipolar,your normal an never let any one tell you that you are an never use meds. for your head, please don't hurt yourself ,because there not good for you.