I have this problem...?

Question

I've suffered from depression for quite a while now. I think it may have developed into bipolar though.

I received help when I was 14 (I'm 17 now) the doctor just said it'd pass, he put me on anti-depressants for a few months and my Mother didn't want to believe I was depressed. So I just hid it from everyone, I lied to other people and told them I was fine.

I really need to get help though. I know I do. I've had so much go on in my past that I need to deal with and get into the open but I can't.

I went to a counsellor (he was an as*shole though) but I didn't tell him anything. I just lied to him so he'd think I was fine.

How do I get out of this lying habit now? I need to be able to tell the truth so I can get help and not hide things.

Please help.

Thanks, they've made it worse for me too, but I need to talk about it and come to terms with my past.

I'm not religious.

I can't run because I was in a car crash when I was younger and I was told I'd never walk again. I can walk but I have back injuries that'll never be fixed, along with my neck and ankle injuries.

I'd love to knit but I'm the only left handed person in my family and my grandma said it would be too difficult =[

Answer 1

hey Wabby, listen, I am bi polar also. No matter how you take it.. and I know it's hard to most of the time.

But, keep yourself busy with things that you love. If it's reading, read, if it's writing, then write your heart out.

Mood swings are horrible. Mine are never going to go away.
Bipolar is not curable, but you are trainable!!

When you feel sad or depressed, watch something funny, learn to push those thoughts out of your mind with good positive stuff.

For me, I feel anxiety like this for instance:
my home is on fire and I have to stay in the house that is burning.

But, that is not real, just take the emotion of that situation and I have that emotion for no good reason at all.

so, I am on some medication but I don't like it.
And, exercise.. you must exercise.

Dont take seroquil. It's really bad for you.

Please drink a lot of water everyda when you start taking medicaion.

and don't over eat. some meds make you want to snack.
learn to love veggies.

and write me if you have problems or questions, I am 37 and been though it. I promise.

Answer 2

You need to go to someone that knows what they're doing when it comes to psychiatric help and who can write prescriptions. Counseling in and of it self can be helpful from a psychological basis, but if much of your problem is chemical then you might need some medication to help you.

Realize that whoever you do see, this is a clean slate for you to explain exactly what is going on and exactly how you feel. Sometimes the best thing a psychiatrist or other doctor can be is a professional stranger that doesn't know you, has no expectations of the person you are supposed to be, and has no agenda. I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist and then later make counseling a part of your treatment; don't feel bad about "shopping around" for counselors, it's important that you find someone you can click with so that it's easy to communicate. Honest communication is a great release that I think would be very refreshing for you.

You are at that age when conditions like bipolar disorder and depression among other things start to manifest themselves and rear their ugly heads. This can seem like a very scary time, what with becoming an adult but still being a teenager, it's not that long that I was there myself. But this is also a very good opportunity to learn more about your condition and yourself, and the earlier you can identify what you have and get treatment for it, the better your long-term outlook is going to be.

As for your mom, her acceptance of any condition you may have will have to come in time. Depression and bipolar disorder are not things that can be ignored into nonexistence or swept under the rug...in such a case they only grow larger and more dangerous.

So my advice is to find a psychiatrist, be honest and be hopeful. Life is not meant to be as painful as it might be feeling to you, and there are things out there to make you feel a lot better.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

Make a random list, of things you have lied about in the past. Carefully, examine the list, and select the least significant entity, i.e., easiest, to now tell the truth about.

Start setting the record straight, with people you have found to be the least judgmental in the past, working your way up to the most judgmental. The objective, is to liberate yourself, of the burden of that lie.

When you are, more or less, done, select the next "whitest lie" off the list, and repeat the process. You are working through a list of chores, doing the easy ones first, in order to build your confidence.

You may want to consider, to generally talk about the things, you have lied about in the past. However, I am not sure you want to do it here. You may get a negative response, from a judgmental jerk; the world is full of them.

I wish you the best !

Answer 4

I thought it was interesting that you denounced your counselor as an "A--hole." Did he tell you something you didn't want to hear or didn't anticipate?

Depression is an imminently treatable medical illness. Rather than lie, which you've doubtless been doing all your life, simply tell the truth: my depression has returned, it's become intrusive, and I need treatment.

Go to a psychiatrist and take the anti-depressants as described. If you don't comply with the cure, it's really quite a waste of time to expect help to be forthcoming on this forum.

Only a physician can treat your depression. I sense you are too young in age to benefit from insight therapy.....you clearly weren't demonstrating insight when you dismissed your last therapist/counselor so ungenerously.

Most people are dismayed to find that it is THEY who must change their behaviors and thought patterns-not the world around them.

Good luck.
*Addendum* Thumbs down not withstanding, mental health is a journey that begins with a single step: YOURS. If every time you react negatively when you get a dose of something you don't like hearing, then it's probably a good idea to start reheasing your role as a "crazy lady," as you're woefully unprepared for reality or personal responsibility.

Answer 5

A therapist or counselor is something you may need to "shop" for. Tell your parents that you need help but you need to find somebody who you are comfortable with, so you may need to visit more than one before you find someone who can help you. Look for someone whose practice includes a lot of teens. A lot of people want to believe that teens don't have these problems and instead blame them or say that its their fault when they're depressed or having other problems. However, many problems can show up at any age and you're at a very stressful age. One thing to keep in mind is that you're dealing with severe problems that need medication. Don't just go to a counselor, see a psychiatrist or a psychologist (somebody with a PhD) who is in a practice with psychiatrists or physicians. It sounds as though, at least in the short run, talk therapy isn't going to be enough.

Are you comfortable with your regular doctor? They may be able to help you, even if its just temporarily.

I know its hard, but you need to have an honest talk with your parents about your need for help. You may want to visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website and encourage your parents to do the same. Please get help soon. You can get better and you will, with the right help.

Answer 6

counselors have helped some of my friends so i can't speak for everyone, but for me... they've only made my problems worse. you almost just need to decide to change and do it. seems kind of harsh, i know, and i don't mean for it to be... but you'll never change untill you are ready and you decide too. even if they could help you, they can only help if you tell them what's going on. lying isn't making anything better for anyone!

i don't mean to be a Jesus freak... however... i have to ask if you've tried praying and reading? the bible is ideal, but i find inspirational books (ie check out norman vincent peal) super uplifting.

another thought: and again i'm just speaking from my own past... do you have any interests? i've found that if you can find something to focus on and something that you enjoy, you'll get a huge sence of satisfaction from it... a goal? i have used bodybuilding competitions to give me something to focus on, and it has worked for me... though i like to workout, and it's a double bonus becasue that does increase those happy endorphines! (have you tried jogging?)

check out knitting... it's super relaxing. (repetitive motions are proven to lessen anxiety.) or art? writting? music? ... some source of release. the pills didn't work for me, or most of my friends, so why waste the money. do something that makes you feel good and actually amounts to something... volenteer work is great too because it really does feel great to help other people.

i really genuinly wish you the best of luck... but remember you cant change till you decide too. i meant to overwhelm you with ideas... perhaps one of them will be a hit! ...good luck, sweetie.

Answer 7

this exact thing happened to my sister shes 16 and this has been going on since she was 14 too and her counsler helped her tthrew it you just need to find one that you can relate to and someone you feel comfortable my isters counslerr went through the same stuff she did but worse so get a new counsler it will all pass soon just make the best of it and this help to write in a journal everydya or everyday just sit in a room and cry i know it sounds weird but it help to think about the worst and cry

Answer 8

You lie because you haven't found the right shoulder to lean on. The burden is yours to carry but you don't have to carry it alone. You need to find someone aside from a doctor whom you can depend on and, in turn, who can depend on you. Share your burden with someone else and have that other person share his/her burden with you. A sibling, a friend, or even a parent can help. Your mother refuses to listen. Find someone who will, but someone who KNOWS you. Concealing your wounds doesn't make them invisible to others. Once you've created multiple bonds, seek professional help again. You NEED TO OPEN UP. And get to the damn point, girl. Don't beat around the bush. You KNOW why you're depressed. You truly do. That very issue you try to avoid is the very root. Get to it, missy. Godspeed.

Answer 9

I think you are a pretty brave young lady to be able to talk about these things here, and I would hope that you get some helpful replies.