I've had people telling me for awhile that I might be bipolar. I've been looking into it and I basically fit all the stereotypes of someone who has it. I go from one minute being extremely energetic to the next minute being horribly depressed. I can't maintain feeling good or anything. I've been like that for about three years. I was talking to someone I know about it and he said he was diagnosed as bipolar and he used to be on medication, but isn't any longer. So here's what I'm wondering:

Is it possible that how I feel is nothing more than the way every person my age feels at some point?

Should I see a doctor about it?
If I am diagnosed and don't go on drugs, what would be the point in that?

I think if I do go see a doctor, it would be a move I'd have to make on my own. My parents would hear none of it. They believe depression, like homosexuality, is nothing more than a trend for the young to gain attention and sympathy.

I'm going to stop here before I begin to whine excessively. I'd appreciate the advice any of you may have.

Thanks.

Its ok, especially if your depressed, its normal. I would not go see anyone about it, unless its doing any damage to anyone. I am the same way, and so is a freind of mine, she also believes she is bipolar, but she is dealing with that on her own, and i know she will get through it.

I don't think it's doing much damage to anyone, really. The only real problem I've been having, other than just how I feel, is that I'm having increasingly frequent panic attacks. I used to get those every once in awhile, once a month or so, but I've been getting them once or twice a week lately. I'll feel okay for awhile, and when I start getting really depressed again I get so frustrated I drive myself crazy; and I end up getting a panic attack. Otherwise.. it's just that I feel miserable half the time.

Well now your beginning to sound even more like me...what exactly happens during these panic attacks of yours? What do you do when you get one? and what would make you refer to these as a "panic" attack?

It usually happens when I'm around a lot of people.. not so much like walking to class or anything, but a more energetic environment - like watching a show at a club or something like that. Other times it happens when I'm at home and I'll suddenly feel completely overwhelmed; like I'm going crazy or something, and I can't sort anything out in my head. I end up getting sort of dizzy and sick, and it's a lot harder to breathe. I don't have asthma, but it seems somewhat similar. It usually helps to sit down somewhere away from anyone, but it takes quite awhile until I can breathe normally again. I don't know what else to classify that as.. what do you think?

That is called stress, or a stress attack. I have been there. I actually even passed out one time because of it. I used to get chest pains with my shortness of breath, sometimes that would scare me. But like you, i just had to sit down and try to relax myself in order to get my breathing normal again. For me, it was caused by depression, i hated everything, and was not happy and hated living, so i got these attacks quite often. There was nothing i could do about them, i tried to see a doctor, and even a shrink once, but that was totally useless, so i just went on like that for many years untill finally it went away on its own.

I guess that's all I can do, then? It mostly happens when I'm feeling either really depressed or really confused and frustrated or some such. I'd like to entertain the idea of drugs that would make that feeling go away, but I'm hesitant. I don't feel like being someone I'm not. I'd rather be myself and be miserable, than be fake and happy. I think that would just make it worse, since I would prefer not to be on drugs forever. Thanks for the responses, at least.

Its all a matter of the mind, if you chip into a victim mentality and opt out for drugs youll be a victim for the rest of your life, millions of people are depressed all the time and still make it through. You just got to learn to say screw it and find the silver lining anyways and just face life with a killer sense of humor and balls like the size of the king of Bayone.

Dont fall for the im a victim its not my fault i need mind altering drugs to function so i can blame the rest of my lifes problems on that, its nonsense, find the strength of your own mind to carry on. Read some of Camus, heres a quote i find particularally good

"In the depths of winter i finally learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

I personally don't think seeing a doctor is ever pointless; though you may not like or approve of the diagnosis, it often helps assuage any fears you may have. I always see the doc if I'm having some sort of problem that's large enough to grab my attention (or someone else's). It's a little trickier when it comes to mental health, though. I stopped going to my shrink not because I was "better," but because I wanted to feel better on my own. It's entirely up to you, but I'd recommend going at least once.

Kujo: thanks for the input. As far as I know, I've been avoiding the "I'm a victim" stance and I have been trying to work things out on my own. It's just mildly unnerving when you try with everything you have to make yourself better and things just get worse. Not to mention it's tiring.

(antihero): I talked to someone else who said the same thing: it can't hurt. Maybe if I eventually work up the nerve eventually I will go, because I think getting checked out is a decent idea - especially since I haven't been to a doctor since I was about 13.

Thanks again.

Now that I know who sias really is, I'm more concerned. See a doc, or I kill you!

You shouldn't use your power as god for manipulation.

I know, but I can't help myself

Bad (antihero).

-bows-

i hate doctors... they cant write properly

I have been hearing what all have you have been saying and some of it kind of makes me sick. You can say whatever you want, but I know I suffer from adolescent depression. I have been hospitalized twice for it and it is nothing to kid around with. As someone who has been there and done that, I definitely think you should go and see a doctor. I take 100 mg's of Zoloft per day and I think I am doing well. I might even decrease in dosing which I am very excited about. Don't let it get too extreme. If you are worried, make sure you seek some help. If I hadn't, or if my friends hadn't done what they did, I might not be here today.

As I said before, I was in a psyciatric hospital twice, Butler in fact. Since I am only 13 and not yet 14 (this was a couple months ago), the first time I went in, I was admitted to the teenage section, but the second time, I was put in the child one. I honestly think the child one helped me more in terms of the treatment, but the patients in the teenage one helped me so much more. My roommate, Rachel, was awesome. We talked endlessly about treating our mothers with respect and love and just how to act and how to be able to live out our lives. It's funny, though, because she was and still is bi-polar, so I know exactly what you're talking about. A couple months before she got into the hospital, she was sneaking out at night and having sex with random guys. That was when her bi-polar was really bad, so as I said before, don't let it get there. I strongly suggest you see a doctor.

I know it is going to be hard with your parents feeling the way they do, but you need to believe what you need to believe and especially if it is something medical, you should go beyond what they are letting you do to get the help you need. For instance, my parents don't believe in God and I was undecided for a while. Then all of a sudden, I was a firm believer. I preach God's wisdom whenever I can and I explained to my parents that I expect their support because this is something I believe and I basically said that if they don't approve, too bad. I know it's not the same thing, but it serves a similar point.
Good luck.
God bless.

I'm not quite sure what to reply. Thanks for sharing your story though. I'm very glad things have worked out for you. I have a question, though. Do you have anything against doctors? I am seriously anti-doctors. It's like a borderline phobia. What I want to ask, also - you say you would not be here today if you hadn't done what you did (as in, seeking help). Do you think depression and/or bipolar disorder is something that everyone who has needs help or drugs do deal with, or do you think that certain people can, in fact, deal on their own? I really appreciate your input, and I'm curious to know your standpoints. Thank you, again, for posting.

Always the easy way out.. gobble some pills become a zombie fuck up your liver. WHy not just go out and find some mischif to get into and have some whats that they used to call it.. FUN! Literally its all in your mind, there is no meaning to life except the meaning you put to it!

Of course you can. my sister is "diagnosed" bi-polar, she just forces ehrself to realize what it is and shes able to cope. Remember everyhting is mind over matter.

No problem. It was my pleasure. As a matter of fact, I really don't like doctors, either. At check-ups and stuff, I hate when they touch you and everything...but let's not get into that. But don't let that stop you from seeking help.

I know that many people can deal with their own, but if you feel that it is getting out of hand, I would definitely do something about it. Yet, if you feel like this is just a bad month and you will be better next month, don't put yourself through all that shit. Only go to a doctor on tell an adult when you are sure you need it. If you are scared or you are beginning some unsafe behaviors, then definitely think about it. You see, it is different for different people. I don't know what you are like and what you need. Only you know that, so try to act accordingly.
God bless.