I am a college student, currently home on summer break. I was diagnosed w/ bipolar II by a psychiatrist at college 2 weeks before finals; she didn't want for me to have to deal with potential side effects during exams, so she told me to find a different pdoc at home to start treatment with.

After calling several different MDs in my insurance network (one had retired, one had moved, one had no appointments until August, and the group practice I tried to get a hold of was always "on the line with another client") I finally managed to schedule an appointment. I'll be seeing this doctor tomorrow, and I'm really scared.

I'm afraid that I'll get lost trying to find his office. I worry that he will prescribe a med that will cause nasty side effects. I'm afraid that I'm making a bad decision to see him; what if I'm actually mentally healthy, and don't need meds? He probably wouldn't be able to tell, because (I think) he only does 15 min evaluations. (I know that that is not a good sign, but I honestly could not find any other pdoc.)

And then there is the issue of telling my family. I planned to let them know about my diagnosis right when I got home, but...I was a coward. Now that I am seeking treatment, I'll have to tell them. I'm sooo scared that they will view and treat me differently. Unfortunately, they are not the most accepting of mental illness. I also don't want to cause them any more stress...

Thanks for letting me whine.