...first timer...

I may not be the best to give advice but you are more then welcome to message me if you ever want to talk. Have you tried telling your mom how you have been feeling and see if she could get you set up with someone who could help and would be able to tell you whats wrong. Sorry if i'm not much help Hang in there it always gets better.

Lise

You are very welcome here and always feel free to post, dont fret about whether you get replies or not, it really depends on what time of the day you post and which forum you post in as some forums more than others have greater traffic. But saying that there is always someone willing to listen to you. One thing I will say to you is that we cannot replace a doctor, we are not here to diagnose just to support and certainly never advise on meds just tell you our own experiences. I think it must be very overwhelming for you at the moment, you describe some very challenging situations to come to terms with. Keep trying with your mother, dont give up. However before you declare what diagnosis you have find out what diagnosis,if any, you have and the only way you will do this is to see a professional. Is there anyone a friend or a counsellor or even your mother than you can talk to and say how you feel at the moment without saying anything specific but just that you suspect something is up and would like some help. Sometimes it takes several years to get a diagnosis as the health professional may need to observe you. And as you rightly say several of the symptoms of Bi Polar are symptomatic of other conditions or disorders so it could be one of many. Look around, get familiar with all the forums, the Q&A, the Blogs, Research there really is so much here to digest.

And remember we are all here for each other, in good or bad times

Paddy

Hey Lisa,

Your sure have been through alot and you sure do need to get some professional help. I understand you cannot talk to your mum, have you been to your doctors? He can refer you. Have you got someone who can go to the doctors with you if you dont want to go on your own?? Do you have any support??

there are tons of places out there that are community advocacy. If you don't have money for insurance, doctor bills, and medicine, there's also all sorts of assistance for that.

Hey Lise, welcome.

That's terrible what you've been through and are going through. I've had abuse and self harm issues as well. Everyone's situation is unique, and the pain and distress you feel is very personal. When you're still a minor, or even a young adult, it can feel impossible to talk to parents or authorities about your problems. In fact, communication is one of the hardest things for abused people. I stutter and stammer sometimes when I get emotional. It's like the verbal parts of my brain are being short circuited by the intense feelings.

I was looking up some resources to help you and this is a reputable site that has links to state and local programs for adolescents and adults:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Find_Support

This is a glossary compiled for parents and teens to learn more about the various problems you may be facing:

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/resourc...ting_teenagers

Also check out the resource center after you have a better idea of what you might be dealing with (although none of these websites are a substitution for the help of a professional): http://www.aacap.org/cs/eaacap.resource.centers

This is an article about a program called teenscreen, that tries to remove the stigma from a mental checkup and is offered across the country:

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/355/26/2717

Here's the teenscreen site itself and you can see if there's a place that offers the evaluation close to where you live:
http://www.teenscreen.org/programs-and-initiatives

This is if you want to start searching teenscreen centers by state: http://www.teenscreen.org/state-resource-center

This is a comprehensive resource for young people with bipolar (if you wish to compare your feelings and symptoms with the typical signs)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publi...ad/index.shtml

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you. You can ignore any of this or just pick one that looks like it might be of help. And definitely take your time. Getting help is a long term process, but it sounds like you're on the right path. You've recognized you want help and there are many many places to find it. Most states have programs for the uninsured or low-income adults and minors to get free medications and have low cost therapy. For example, this is a site totally devoted to helping teens find doctors, low cost or free meds, etc.:

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=other

We're here for you too. I'm glad you came on the site. Everyone I've met here has been super helpful and kind. I only got diagnosed with bipolar a month ago, so I was totally lost and am still getting the hang of treating it.

Stay in touch.

No I don't have anyone and no support unfortunetly

Hi again. If you're worried about people finding out about your condition because it's a small town or rural area, there is always the possibility that you could go to the nearest city to talk to a psychiatrist. If your mom doesn't want to help you, you can definitely go with a friend or by yourself when you turn 18. How long until you're 18?

Well you have me! And lots of other lovely people on these forums... You can add me as your friend and email me anytime...

Im 26 years old and had depression since i was 12 and know how hard it is as a teenager having it... But you got to never give up. You may feel you have nobody and your alone with this but your not...

Its a difficult and upsetting situation with your mum but you deffinatly need to see someone... Go on the links which thinker22 added in their post..

Stay stong xxx

That is tough. I couldn't wait for a whole year to get some relief. I feel like I can't even wait a day when my depression is so severe. I don't know how you will be able to get some help, but I hope you will fight and do whatever necessary to get help, with or without your mom.



And yes, we're here for you. Feel free to dump on us (we dump on each other when we're having crappy days...it's therapeutic).

Also, about your self injury, if it's infected or not closing up (if it is a wound), please do see a doctor or a nurse. Worried about you.

((((((lise17))))))

It is awful to see you suffer.....really.......there are great people out there who are specifically employed to help people like you and I.

Thinker22 gave you some very valuable resources that will help you and put you in the right direction.......Please look at them and use them.

If you are actively S.I. please go to the S.I. forum there is great assistance and advice there that will really help you. It may trigger some people here and I am sure you wouldnt want to do that.

You have mentioned now on a couple of occassions that you feel like you dont want to go on with it. This is very worrying and a serious statment to make which makes us worry even more that you are not prepared to reach out IRL to get help. Again, look at the resources thinker22 has very kindly given you and MAKE THAT CALL. I am sure many of them are anonymous and will point you in the right direction.

It is time to do something about your situation.

Why can't you see a dr. or nurse? Are you embarrassed, afraid your mom will find out, not insured?

None of those are good reasons to not get treatment. In fact, if you do get help at a local hospital or clinic or dr.'s office, you may be assigned a counselor by the state, with or without your mom's permission and get the meds and therapy you need.

Please don't neglect yourself. You may be mad at yourself right now, but you'll look back one day and be glad you reached out for help.

Stay in touch. Don't give up. I've felt like giving up, or what's the point or things will never get better, but those feelings pass when you have a good day. And you will have good days. The best days of my life have been since moving out from my parents' house. My childhood and adolescence were pretty bleak. I'm still reeling from those experiences, but I'm so glad I didn't give up when I was there. I've lived a full lifetime of varied and exciting experiences in these past 5 years of freedom. Now I'm free to deal with all this **** and get well. And you're so close to that time of your life. The best is yet to come (although getting well is a tough journey...it is worth it!)