I hope I don't sound exceptionally foolish for trying to diagnose myself, but I really think that I might be bi-polar. I've been reading through several posts and realized that I display a lot of the signs someone who is bipolar would, and that had me thinking. I'm no doctor, of course, but it looks like a huge possibility.
For some weird reason, I just didn't think I could be, as if I would just know straight off, like it would just hit me in the head. But nope, it took me a long time to even link my behavior to that. And really, if I were bi-polar, that would explain a lot going on with my emotions and lack of control over them, too.
Can I have some help? Does anyone here know how to tell if I really am or not? I hope I'm not just overthinking everything... oh, and being bipolar isn't all based on genetics, is it?
Let me go Let me free I'm not the person you want me to be.
Let me live Let me breath Don't force me unwilling onto my knees.
By far the best (and only really fool-proof) method of knowing whether you are bi-polar
or not is to go see a doctor and have them diagnose you.
And yes, bipolar does appear more frequently in relatives with the disorder, but it is not all based on genetics. However, the exact cause is unknown.
We're all in the same game;
Just different levels.
Dealing with the same hell;
Just different demons.
Yeah I agree that only a doctor would be able to properly tell you if you do or dont, plus there are different kinds of bipolar as well. Maybe do a little bit more research and write down all the reasons you may think you have the disorder, and bring them to your doctor. Seeing a doctor could be a fast track to get you on the right track and feeling better.
I personally do not think that it is all genetics/biology. Environmental factors could play a role as well.
You really do need to see a doctor, that is the only real way to know.
Bipolar can be partially genetic, like BoundNoMore said, it isn't all centred round genetics.
Definetely see a doctor and get them to check you out.
Well I'm talking to my school psychologist tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will help...
edit: I can't go to a doctor, there's no way I can tell my parents about this, and I don't have my own car, either
ok... well that is a slight problem, I would suggest telling your school psychologist that you can't tell your parents and about just see (s)he says...be sure you explain everything... all your symptoms and everything.
We're all in the same game;
Just different levels.
Dealing with the same hell;
Just different demons.
I plan on making sure he doesn't notify my parents of anything unlesss I say he can (which I doubt I'll do). There's a policy that requires him to respect that, so I hope that this will help.
By everything, should I tell him about the cutting too, even though I stopped? Because I don't know if I can talk about something like that, I don't know how others will react...
I'm starting to get kind of scared
Let me go Let me free I'm not the person you want me to be.
Let me live Let me breath Don't force me unwilling onto my knees.
Why do you feel you can't tell your parents? It would be hard to hide from them if you were diagnosed and needed treament, seeing as how you don't have your own car. I understand not wanting to tell them though, but open communication really does open doors to more options for help
Sorry, just saw that you posted. It says you're from the US...what I've been told by teachers, school counselors, etc when I was involved in this is that if you're under 18 and you mention self-harm, they are required by law to inform your parents/guardians.
Last edited by Horizon : 09-12-2008 at 04:44 AM.
Reason: spelling error
I'm being stupid and scared and just pushing it back, after all, it may turn out that there's nothing wrong and I'm just imagining things. I know that I really really should tell my parents about what's going on, but it's so hard. I know that they will either think that
1) I am just a teenager who doesn't know anything yet and it's just a phase I'm going through
2) that I'm just doing everything for attention
3) that I'm overreacting (which I think I might be) and overdramatic.
Every time I try to bring up something serious I can tell that's what's going through their heads.
Also, both of my parents are really stressed out already and i don't know what this would do to them, even if they believe me. The one thing I hate most in the world is disappointment, and I know that if they hear that I have some mental illness, or that I still want to hurt myself this badly, they'll break and I can't let that happen. I don't want them to know me because I know that they can't bear it. And that, is not me exaggerating. I understand my parents. It's too hard.
Let me go Let me free I'm not the person you want me to be.
Let me live Let me breath Don't force me unwilling onto my knees.
Also, both of my parents are really stressed out already and i don't know what this would do to them, even if they believe me.
How do your parents handle stress? Do they pass it on to you? A lot of things that get blamed on genetics is just people passing on their emotional baggage to their kids. Each person over-reacts to an injustice and cant face the original bully so they dump on the person they feel safe with - and thats often family - and especially the kids
Bad emotions can be like hot potatos people like to pass on. A boss can yell at a dad, dad then comes home to yell at mom, mom then yells at the kids - the kids kick the dog - or maybe self harm.
Indeed, a lot of problems that show up in kids actually have their roots in other peoples issues - who project the problems into kids. A parent who cant handle stress will often stress out their kids. If the parent was also a drinker who used drinking to ease the pain of being anxious/guilty/over-reactive then it would be no wonder their kid could become a drinker as well . Blaming genetics is often an excuse imo.
If you were bipolar I would bet you grew up with a lot of stresses. You are not your feelings and emotions - they should be an extension of you and not you an extension of them. But you can fall into them and get stuck be often compulsively over-reacting. Its like a car that fishtails. A car starts to slide in one direction and then the drive tries to go in the other direction and the car goes from one extreme to another. Of course exaggerated emotions will make for exaggerated thoughts and vice versa and you can get stuck in the limo in between. If you learn the skills of moderating your reactions you can find yourself again and Ive seen it happen.
Whoever you are talking to will most likely be reluctant to give you any definitive answer as to you being bipolar because they normally don't diagnose it until you are over 18.
If its any consolation most people can relate to most of the 'signs' of pretty much any disorder...also your brain is going completely haywire during adolescence so most people find it to be a hard age to cope with.
Plus in my experience school psychs are not the most reliable of people. Still if it concerns you then perhaps it is best to go and talk to them about it, at least then if you voice your concerns then they might be able to help you find a way to manage your problems.
Remember bipolar isn't the only disorder to do with abnormal emotional regulation. That's why self diagnosis is dangerous - because you can just get it WRONG.
It's a bit of a catch 22 as the only way you'll find out is by being assessed by a psychiatrist and if you did then I would imagine your parents would be notified. Plus you won't get an official diagnosis until you are 18.
