Hello Joe-Anna, I'm sorry that your friend dismissed your feelings so easily, but as a bipolar patient myself I would have to recommend seeing a counselor first rather than a psychiatrist. The reason I say that, coming from personal experience, all the psychiatrist did was throw pills at me and didn't even take my issues seriously and it sent me on a downward spiral.

I would take baby steps in trying to address this, like writing your feelings down is a good idea and present it to a counselor or therapist. Then if they decide you need medication you can see a doctor. Good luck.