bipolar disorder?

Question

Hi. I think I am showing signs of bipolar disorder/cyclothymia. i'm not goinig to bore you all with details of symptoms, because i know something isnt right. i've been up and down since around the end of 2006, but for like cyclothymia you have to have had symptoms for 2 years. i know there is something not right, because how i am is definitly not right. so what from here? how do i get help? what do i do? the problem is my family - id get told to stop being silly or being told i'm not like that. i hate that though, being in effect told how i am, and then getting shouted at if i try and argue back, and its also demoralising to have an older brother telling you to grow up and stop being a drama queen. what can i do? if it turns out that there is something, do i want to talk to my family about it? not really. im at some confusion at what to do. im in my teens. can anyone give me any advice??? thanks.

Answer 1

You can call your local mental health clinic and talk to a trained counselor. The number should be in the phone book.

Answer 2

Hi, sorry to hear you are struggling with this without any support.

Try these links to the Mind website:

Understanding Bipolar Disorder
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+manic+depression.htm

it offers easy to read and understand information and also gives links to other useful organisations.

I would also suggest that you need to make an urgent appointment with your GP. Talk to him about how you are feeling and the symptoms that you are suffering from. He/she can then assess what is the best course of action to take and what treatment to start you on.

I know you say that you cannot discuss this with your immediate family, but is there anyone else who you trust, who could accompany you for moral support? It would help you if someone was there, even if they wait outside until after you have seen the doctor.

I would also suggest seeing if there is a local mental health charity close by that could offer you support.

http://www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area/

they are much less formal than anyone in the NHS and they won't judge you.

The local Mind association that I work for has a specific young persons service, which would be ideal for you. Ask if the Mind near you offers that kind of service or if they can tell where to find one. However if you are 18 or over you will be able to access the services of any Mind association.

This link to the YoungMinds organisation might also offer you some good advice and information.

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/youngpeople/index.php

You have made a very brave first step in asking this question, and I hope that people have answered you with helpful comments and advice.

Ignore anyone who hasn't as they clearly have no understanding of mental distress or illness.

Please take the next step and contact your GP, he/she will take you seriously and will listen to what you have to say. They shouldn't judge you and they are there to offer you help and support. Anything you say to them must be treated in the strictest of confidence, so don't worry that it will get back to your parents and other family members.

There is help and support available out there for you, if you know where to look for it.

Hope this helps.

Take care and good luck.

Answer 3

I agree with Keira 100%. Your first point of call must be to your GP. Tell him/her how you are feeling and ask him/her to make a referral for you to see a psychiatrist. Please don't fall under the misguided belief that psychiatrists only deal with 'nutters'. They deal with a great range of Mental Health issues. In fact, I'd go along, again, with what Keira says. It's downright dangerous to self diagnose. You may have read somewhere that your symptoms appear to match a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or cyclothymia even, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that's what you've got. Leave it to the professionals to make that diagnosis. After all, that's what they've been to university/medical school for, and that's what they're paid to do. Actually, I'd go as far as saying that diagnosing like that may indicate a case of hypochondrism where you read something and start imaging that your symptoms are exactly the same. Be careful, my friend. Life's too short to be wasting your time.

Answer 4

There are alot of medications out there that can help if you have this disorder. Sometimes the best thing to do is to try it and see if your symptoms get better.

You can start with your General Practioner and tell them your fears and how you know that something is not right and admit to them how your family feels about mental illness. Get your Dr on your side and then I think your family may come around.

Good luck.. I know what its like to know that we are different but we are afraid and or we dont know where to go or what to do. Its an unfortunate club to belong too and you are defintely the age where this type of disorder begins to show. Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings day to day and bring that in to your MD, as that may persuade them and your family to how you feel.

Answer 5

In the first instance see your GP - you do not have to tell your family if you do this, and you do not even have to see the "family doctor". In real terms, it doesn't matter what your family say, if you need the medical help, then you need it abd that's that! Your GP may or may not refer you on to a psyciatrist or psychologist or for counselling (you can decide between you what's best for YOU (each person even with the same diagnosis needs different treatment)
I will add though, don't be in a rush to label yourself, just go and talk to someone and take it from there

Answer 6

I am so sorry that you are feeling down. It sounds as if you need to go to a Psychiatrist. He or she can give you the proper diagnosis and treatment. I looked up Cyclothymia, and I didn't see where it said you'd have to have the symptoms for 2 years. That's way too long to have something before getting help. This is what I did read about it:

"A persistent instability of mood, involving numerous periods of mild depression and mild elation. This instability usually develops early in adult life and pursues a chronic course, although at times the mood may be normal and stable for months at a time. The mood swings are usually perceived by the individual as being unrelated to life events. The diagnosis is difficult to establish without a prolonged period of observation or an unusually good account of the individual's past behaviour. Because the mood swings are relatively mild and the periods of mood elevation may be enjoyable, cyclothymia frequently fails to come to medical attention. In some cases this may be because the mood change, although present, is less prominent than cyclical changes in activity, self-confidence, sociability, or appetitive behaviour. If required, age of onset may be specified as early (in late teenage or the twenties) or late.

The essential feature is a persistent instability of mood, involving numerous periods of mild depression and mild elation, none of which has been sufficiently severe or prolonged to fulfill the criteria for bipolar affective disorder or recurrent depressive disorder. This implies that individual episodes of mood swings do not fulfill the criteria for any of the categories described under manic episode or depressive episode.


Differential Diagnosis
This disorder is common in the relatives of patients with bipolar affective disorder and some individuals with cyclothymia eventually develop bipolar affective disorder themselves. It may persist throughout adult life, cease temporarily or permanently, or develop into more severe mood swings meeting the criteria for bipolar affective disorder or recurrent depressive disorder in rare cases.


Causes
Cyclothymia appears to have a significant genetic contribution, which has been shown by a range of twin studies involving dizygotic (fraternal) and monozygotic (identical) twins.

Psychosocial factors have also been implicated, for example stressful life events or living conditions, and interpersonal difficulties. In addition, some theories posit that the hypomanic episodes have meaning in the context of a person seeking to achieve goals or to avoid depression.

Treatment
Treatment for cyclothymia can include a variety of Cognitive and behavioural techniques. Additionally, Mood stabilizers, such as Lithium and anticonvulsants, are often prescribed in low doses to treat cyclothymia."

Sometimes family members don't like to admit that their loved one has a mental illness. You are taking the right steps in wanting to get help. I would sit down and talk to your parents. Tell them that you're not feeling like yourself, you've been like this for a while, and that you want to go to the doctor. If they deny you of that, please talk to someone else that would understand: another adult relative, a teacher or school counselor. As far as your older brother goes...ignore him! He's probably acting that way because he doesn't understand the illness or maybe he doesn't know how to react.

Things will get better. Keep your chin up. God bless.

Answer 7

Hey. I got diagnosed with bipolar just after I turned 17. My family were like that too but bipolar is very serious. you can go from very hyped up to totally suicidal so i would get some proper proffesional advice and if it turns out you have it then you need to tell your family to help you and not put you down.
Good luck in life x x x

Answer 8

See your GP, I was becoming unwell at school in year 11 and saw the school doctor, I was diagnosed bipolar a few years later. Do something before it gets out of control - don't worry what others think its better than being really poorly, All the best

Answer 9

I was said to be Bi Polar, for many years, but I was not.I have been around a lot of people with the illness.I do not hear the illness in your note,yet you will know if you are BP, if you have
cycles of mania and then deep depression.You will feel as great as can be and then life will be meaningless and empty.Then you will go back and forth.These are profound changes you will go threw.It is not a bit up or down,it's more like flying to heaven and then plunging in to hell.

Answer 10

Bipolar disorder is not something one can self-diagnose. Please, please ask for help. Don't know where you read that you have to have symptoms for 2 years but it's inaccurate. No, you're not being a "drama queen" or silly. If you feel that you have a problem - you do have a problem, if you see what I mean. Talk to your doc, school counsellor, pastor or whoever you feel you can trust, but don't be put off by told you are silly.