I think I'm bipolar

Ok, people. I'm 16 and I think I'm bipolar.

Family history? Absolutely - my mother's family is all (well, almost) on the meds, including her.

Since a kid, I though I was different. Well, I searched and searched, and found bipolar disorder - it was like a checklist of me, all the symptoms (sp?).

Anyways, what made me think of BP was my FAST mood swings. It's darn weird. In another forum (where someone told me to go here ), I was told that mood cycles last days/weeks, but in my case the most common thing is hours, or just a few days.

Just to exemplify - yesterday, I was down. Right now I feel POWERFUL and insanely happy. Sometimes I want to cry just because I'm too happy to be true. It's amazing and I like to be likes this - I have a lot of energy.

Well, despite being extremely well right now, I know that I'll be down in a non-distant future. Well, that's what my rational part tells me, 'cause my emotional one is just jumping around.

Well, I've never been very *very* depressed to the point of killing myself, but this Up-down-up-down is really anoying (although the Up part is the funny part).

Telling about this to my parents is a No-no, and I don't my friends to know about this (although people may wonder why I'm the quiet guy one day or the extrovert the other ) . I don't want to be on meds too. =/

Probably seeing a psychologist would be an answer, but I know none, and the schools' psychologist doesn't seem very competent.

I know, I'm ranting. And right now, I'm so up-beat that I'm thinking "Ah, who cares?! You're darn fine! Don't you feel great?!". But my rational part is telling "You have issues, man.".

Ok, insanity over for now. Do you think this is just wacky teenage years or there is a chance of me being bipolar? And what should I do?

Hi Nice_Guy,

Welcome to HW! There are lots of good folks here who have a great deal of experience of this illness and you should be able to find help from people who really know their onions and/or are going through the same as you.

I think Djonma's asked the key question here already -- and pointed out the key fact. Why, when you know this condition runs in your family (as it so often does) and when this should mean that you would have a great deal of understanding around you, do you not feel comfortable telling your parents? Given their own encounters with this illness, do you not think there's a chance that they suspect you might have it already?

One of the main problems with bipolar is that it most frequently turns up around the later teenage years, often just that little bit too early for the sufferer to get help without parents becoming involved. But that can be a good thing too -- you need support if this is what you have. In fact, given what you're saying about your mood swings, even if it *isn't* bipolar that you've got, you do need support.

A couple of things you need to bear in mind about bipolar are 1) that it doesn't go away: if you've got it, it needs treatment to be managed and not take over; and 2) treatment involves meds, and, even though that's only part of the treatment, it is an *essential* part of it: if you've got bipolar, you will have to take meds if you want to stand a chance of being in control of your illness rather than having it be in control of you -- so, and I realise this isn't really what you want to hear, but whether or not you want to go on meds is kind of academic.

What you need now is to be evaluated by a psychiatrist (psychologists only deal with the talk side: you need a psychiatrist because they are qualified to prescribe meds). The psychiatrist will make the diagnosis -- of bp or something else -- and will then work out a treatment plan for you. But, as I say, I think at your age you need to have your parents involved in this (legally). So it's a bit of a vicious circle, but it comes back to you discussing this with your parents. You never know, they might be relieved that you brought it up!

Keep us posted! -- We're rooting for you, but you do need to start with this step.

Rosie x

"I think Djonma's asked the key question here already -- and pointed out the key fact. Why, when you know this condition runs in your family (as it so often does) and when this should mean that you would have a great deal of understanding around you, do you not feel comfortable telling your parents? Given their own encounters with this illness, do you not think there's a chance that they suspect you might have it already?"

Well... My mother has issues with having the ilness. She has refused to see a shrink some times, and she doesn't talks about it. She hates the fact some people may consider her a 'nut-case'. If I told her... ah, well, I guess it would be a big disapointment to see her son join the rest of the family. As for my father, he wouldn't even believe me. He would just brush it off with a 'Don't be silly' and leave it at that. Yeah, I'm afraid of their reaction too.

I wish I had the insight that you have when I was 16. But I do remember those years and I remember how afraid I was of my parents. I thought they were totally against me.  I even thought at one point that they were trying to poison me.  That was probably my bipolar rearing its head but it went unrecognized. I can't add to the wonderful replies that you have received, just know that you have a supportive group of friends. Please keep us posted.  Luv...Lazy

Guy, I do psychosocial rehabilitation therapy for children and adults who have mental disorders, including bipolar disorder. My 11 year old daughter is also diagnosed bipolar (rapid cycling) and she changes moods quite frequently. In fact, it is because of her diagnosis that I entered this field of work. Anyway, if you cannot start with your parents, or if you do and they poo-poo your concerns, then think about making an appointment with your primary care doc (from whom you will need a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist anyway). You must take steps to share your concerns regarding yourself with a professional, if your family will not listen. We are all rooting for you. I will include you in my prayers.