[Nutmeg]

I'm 17. I've been depressed for four years and I have horrible panic attacks. I'm starting to think I'm bipolar because all the symptoms line up, but every time I bring it up with my parents they just laugh and tell me, "oh, nothing's wrong. you don't need help." or they start chucking bibles at me.

Um, hello? Dying here. I'll be 18 next September, but is there any way I can get to a doctor or something without them? Or medicine? I can't take feeling this way. Or even just a diagnoses would be fine. Just so I can say, for sure, that "I am bipolar". Anything.

So, advice?

[Skully]

Yes you can. Talk to your school counselor (if you are still in school) and see what can be arranged for you. If you live in town you can go to the county mental health agency and they will provide you services. You do not need your parents in most states. Oh, hope you are in the US. Otherwise this advice is useless lol. I would try school first. Hope this was of help

[BlackPup]

I hope you can get to a doctor who can help you. It sounds like you really need some help.
We are here to listen to you and help in whatever ways we can. We do not replace doctors, but hopefully we can all help to make this a little easier for you...
Welcome to PC.

[bpd2]

Skully's right--and if you're lucky enough to have a school psychologist, you can get even more help at school.
Let us know, ok?

[Nutmeg]

Thanks, all of you. I had another bad panic attack a little bit ago. My parents, mainly my mom, are pissing me off. They're so frustrating. I guess I will go talk to the counselors. That's the best course of action, I suppose. They just creep me out. I don't like counselors. Blech.

But yeah. Thanks.

[GothGeisha]

I have gone through a similar thing. My mother has been convinced I have ADHD since I was a child and my father thinks my issues are because of my childhood. I think I'm Bi-polar I have every symptom and my ex fiancée of four years begged me to get help because he was convinced. As a child I was treated for ADHD, Insomnia, and Depression and none of the medications helped. I felt worse. Now at 21 I don't know how to talk to a doctor about it but I have realized I do need help.

[sugahorse1]

Counsellors are there to help you; and they will be necessary to help you deal with whatever your diagnosis is.

The advice given above is honest and good - please look for help. Remember too that your teenage years are never easy. Hormones can play a big role in how you are feeling at the moment too.

Start by keeping a mood journal too. And maybe write your feelings down - it will make things easier to remember when you try talk to a professional.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg

I'm 17. I've been depressed for four years and I have horrible panic attacks. I'm starting to think I'm bipolar because all the symptoms line up, but every time I bring it up with my parents they just laugh and tell me, "oh, nothing's wrong. you don't need help." or they start chucking bibles at me.

Um, hello? Dying here. I'll be 18 next September, but is there any way I can get to a doctor or something without them? Or medicine? I can't take feeling this way. Or even just a diagnoses would be fine. Just so I can say, for sure, that "I am bipolar". Anything.

So, advice?

I can relate to what you are going through my family make fun of me and start laughing at me and that makes me mad

[sugahorse1]

Nutmeg and Kikki - please speak to a school counsellor. Any senior figure in your life is also a good starting point - maybe an elder at church? Or go to your GP - they are often able to help. Just bear in mind - if it really is bipolar (And while you should respect his professional opinion, let him know of your concern) - you need to be on a mood stabiliser before an anti-depressant. Some GPs will assist with mild forms of psychiatric conditions, but they usually end up referring you to a pdoc.
I would just imagine it would be a lot easier to convince your mom to take you to a GP (Even if you need to come up with an excuse) and can then in private talk to the GP.

I hope things work out for you. It must be so frustrating to need help, and not be able to do anything because you are waiting for your parents to assist.

But as I already mentioned - bear in mind that the teen years are NEVER easy, but things will get better