[ranger0286]

I am a 23 year old male college student. I was diagnosed as Bipolar (I forgot which one) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder almost 3 years ago. I went to a psychiatrist and a psychologist back then, but I stopped going. Last summer I went to my family practice physician to get back on medicine (my mother thinks psychiatrists are just pill dispensers). For almost a year now my doctor has been trying to put me on the right medications. It was 20 mg Lexapro, 1 mg Klonopin, and 750 mg of Depakote ER. Now it's 10 mg Lexapro, 50 mg Atarax, and 750 mg Depakote ER. It's mostly been variations of the previously listed medications. My problem is that I can't tell my doctor what is truly going on with me (mania, depression/suicidal, anxiety antisocial). I've been going to my family practice physician my whole life, so it would be awkward. I also can't sleep unless I smoke marijuana, take my medication (sometimes more than prescribed), and take Tylenol PM. Should I just schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist and not tell my parents? My dad checks the medical insurance bill so I don't think he would notice. Something has to change soon. Thanks.

[Bat Mom]

Speaking as a Mom of a 21 year old that struggled a long time before she really opened up and shared with me, I am pleading with you, go to a Psychiatrist! Moms and Dads don't intuitively know about things like this, you need to get well and if Mom thinks a p-doc only pushes pills, then she will need to get educated about it. I am certain that your parents love you and would do anything for you, my wish is that I had been brought into the picture sooner and could have been more supportive to my daughter. Go to the specialist, get strong and share with your parents. They love you and need to understand what you are going through.

[Dave255]

Yeah, you should. A family doctor isn't nearly as trained to deal with it as psychiatrists, that is even if you told your family doctor everything.

It is extremely important that you are able talk about the extremes you are experiencing. If your more comfortable doing that with a pyschiatrist that is just another reason to use one.

Your last line sums it all up, something has to change. The current path isn't working.

[ranger0286]

Thank you for both of your responses. I plan on talking to my parents tomorrow.

[allme]

hope it goes well for you, I think you are doing the right thing

[gravyyy]

good for you ranger. You're mom is basically right that psychiatrists are pill pushers...... because patients with mental illness need pills. There's no surgey to fix the problem. If you're struggling with bipolar disorder or any other mental illness, you absolutely should see a specialist. You're an adult and it's your choice, though I understand what it is to not have supportive parents. Good for you for wanting to talk to them. I hope it goes well for you. Take care and please get the help you need. Waiting to get help only makes it more painful for you.

[RomanSunburn]

If you're having trouble finding a psychiatrist off campus, make sure you look on campus. I have been very impressed with the doctors on my campus -- they are much different from off campus doctors, and understand the life of a student much better.

Good luck!