14 years old, but I had my first very severe episode at about 15/16. At 14, I was put on an anti anxiety medication by my GP. At 15/16 my school ordered my parents to send me for therapy. I almost flunked a grade and had a somewhat traumatic thing happen at school because of my mental illness. For a brief period, I thought I had schizophrenia. I also developed an obsession with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the end, my guidance counselor urged my mother to send me to a private school. She did. During that time, I also became hyper-religious and joined the Catholic church (RCIA, baptism, confirmation, even gave a disinhibited speech to the huge congregation - Ugh!!!!!) My parents weren't religious and were non participating First Baptists. I didn't realize the hyper-religious period was mood related until years later. I didn't receive any official diagnosis that I know of at that time. It was back in the mid 1980s.

What finally pushed you to a psychiatrist?