What to say...

I am on this forum and the depression one.... I just really want someone I can trust and talk to and I have none of that. I cant get help because Im under 18 and my mom wont allow it. She says im overexaggerating. My friends say shes right.... bu I know shes wrong. Its been over 3 months and I still have all these feelings. Sometimes Im extremely happy and then all of a sudden sad. Im always mad and I cry for no reason at all.... The only reason Im even doing this is because I know its anonymous and I dont have to worry about being judged(Ihope). Please respond soon if its not to much trouble.

Since you are 18, I think you can go to the GP by yourself now. A good place to start.

Teens do have a problem being moody. Pivotal point with HS being over. Figuring out what to pursue next. Girls cry alot at this age.

Mood swings don't necessarily mean you are Bipolar. There are other things too, and being sad and crying are depressing, but don't necessarily mean Major Depression is looming. Even sleeping and appetite fluctuate in the teen years. The body has to adjust to becoming adult.

Starting with the GP would also be good because you are familiar there. Before you go, jot your main complaints down on a note.

When you are happy make the most of it. Get out, fresh air, exercise, even walking around the mall is good. Keep up with your friends.

Sandy

Not for a couple of years...

I really dont wanna talk to anybody about it who could know who I am. Its kind of embarassing to me... Thats why I wanted to try this, because its anonymous.

X3, I can completely identify. My bp symptoms started at age 7. My symptoms were terrible in high school. My parents would not seek help for me. My Dad is STILL in denial, even after 7? 8? psychiatrists and being hospitalized for it.

So I have good news for you. There are things you CAN do to make the next few years go a little easier for you.

I'm not able to focus right now. I'll post back when I can.

(((hugs)))

Genetic, I do make good grades but I only have a couple of friends. And I cant share my thoughts with them because they think Im just being stupid and trying to get attention. I promise Im not though...

X3, I am sooooo glad you have gotten on this forum.  You do need a safe place to talk about this.  One of the important things you can do is track your moods.  So get a notebook and divide the days into morning, afternoon, evening (but if that is too much just track for a full day and don't divide it).  Then make a very brief note of your mood for the different times during the day or for the whole day - even a thumbs up or thumbs down symbol.  The goal is to be looking for patterns - like the evening being harder, or a series of days being harder than other days.  If you can note triggers to mood shifts, that would be a big help - like when a friend speaks to you a certain way, etc.  Trying to make sense of our mood shifts sometimes helps in being able to control them better.

I still wonder if it would not be good to go to your school nurse and speak to her and ask for her advice.  You can explain to her your predicament.  Just say you have a headached and ask to go see her.  Are  you scared of your mother finding out you have talked with her?  What would your mother do?

 

Genetic, thanks for the help you have given me, I will print out the form. And just so you know, it has been a few months. I will wait to see what tort says as well.

I think I am going to do the journal thing... I found a sheet I like a lot. And maybe after I do this for awhile, I can show her.

Thanks for your support.

Hi X3 - I'm back again this morning. :)

I'm not going to "go there" about where you're having this from normal-teenage-wierdness or a real mental illness. That's not something we can help you with.

For what it is worth, I was a freshman in high school when I first heard about bipolar in Health class. I IMMEDIATELY was like "OMG, That's me!!" I talked to my teacher afterwards and he totally blew me off. I remember the last of his words, "There is no way you could be bipolar; we see you everyday."

But the good news is the advice I'll give you will work whether or not it is a teenage-thing or a mood disorder. The difference is you'll grow out of the teenage thing, and if it is a mood disorder, you'll definitely know by the time you are 18 and you'll be able to get help independently.

Here its is!

1) Sleep. Oh, this sounds so simple! But it's huge for teenagers AND for people with mood disorders. Teens need more sleep than adults, and definitely more sleep than they get! People with mood disorders tend to have problems with sleeping schedules. Whether or not you have a mood disorder, fixing your sleep schedule will go a long ways towards feeling better.

Give yourself 10 hours of sleep. If you get up at 7 a.m., then go to bed and 9 p.m. Don't "sleep in". Ever. I know it's not "cool" to go to bed when your friends are out, but it's not so cool to be miserable either.

2) Eat. Also sounds simple... but I know how hard it is to eat well in a school cafeteria. IMPOSSIBLE! Time to pack lunches. I know... totally uncool. Skipping meals is disastrous. Eating junk food is equally as bad. Try a small lunch of a protein (meat, fish), dairy (milk, cheese), and grain (bread, etc). IF you want to have fruit or juice, then skip milk (other dairy is OK) AND skip the grain too.

You will definitely feel better in just a few weeks of eating well. You'll look better too!

3) Exercise. Break a sweat everyday. Doesn't matter what you do to get sweaty. Goof off, dance, play football, maybe Phy Ed class is enough?

If you don't have a mood disorder, you'll feel great and physically look good! If you do have a mood disorder, these things will at least take the edge off it and help you cope until you can get professional help.