If, on the other hand, you do have either bipolar illness or borderline personality disorder; and you know that you will not or cannot see a psychiatrist, you may be able to help yourself by trying some of the following things:

1. Keep in touch here whenever you need to vent regarding what's happening at home.

2. Try removing all the caffeinated sodas and coffee and tea (which has caffeine in it) for several weeks--say three (3) and see if your feeling tone improves. If it does,
you know that you are one who may be sensitive to caffeine and you might wish to avoid it.

3. Try to cut back on the use of sugar as much as you can, since it can mimic the
highs and lows of bipolar illness.

4. Don't try to medicate by using anything that contains alcohol. It is a depressant
and will make your feeling tone worse after it wears off.

These are just suggestions. If you do have bipolar illness and it is a mild case, even aspirin can help relieve some symptoms, according to my psychiatrist.

I won't go further than this, except to say that these are all things which my psychiatrist recommended, and if they help you, you have learned a good bit about what to do to aid in relief.

A major help may be to talk about what's happening to you at home so that experienced members here may be able to give you some sound advice.

Please try to take good care of yourself and know that you are a good person with valuable talents to contribute as you go forward with your education.

Genetic