Alone....

well im 17 and have felt for several years like something was abnormal with me because i experienced a lot of mood swings, depression, distractions and anger issues. ive mentioned this several times to my parents over the course of the last year or so but everytime i mention it they basically ignore me. i think it may be because they are afraid of what it may actually be so they havent been willing to let me be seen by a doctor or tested or anything like that for it. i dont like the way things are going with this and i know i need help but my parents are allowing for that to happen. how do you think i can work this situation out?

i mistyped......my parents are NOT allowing me to be seen by a doctor or therapist.

Can you talk to a counselor of someone trusted at school?

I hope you can find a way to get help with this, because help is available, and there is no need to suffer just because others are uneducated.

I agree. Talk to someone at school. Unless you say you're going to hurt yourself or others, everything you say is confidential.

It's a shame that so many people expect us to fix what's wrong in our heads by just ignoring it, or don't want us to get help because of what other people might think.

Welcome to the forums ducttape217. I think a school counselor might be able to help you. Maybe they could also help your parents not to be so closed minded about seeing a therapist.

Hello Ducttape217...if it's not too much of an imposition on you, I'd like to ask you a few questions before I feel I can offer you some advice.
What brought you here to this website?
Why did you choose to post in Bi-Polar forum? And I'm glad you did.
Would you be willing to share a little more with us about what your thoughts, feelings, relationships and your lifestyle are?
I do hope I'm not being too forward or intimidating for you, please understand...I ask with concern and wanting to be better able to offer you some support...both here and where you are.
I do understand that you're feeling very alone right now where your parents are concerned and feeling like you don't know how to get the help you know you need. I think it's fabulous that you are so willing to reach out for help in whatever way you've been able to find and this is very encouraging to me. I give you great respect and admiration for that.
There ARE some solutions for you, we can help you...I want to help you. I just can't do that without more information from you by the questions I've asked.
Please understand, I am NOT here to diagnose you, tell you what to do...but to offer support, suggestions and any avenues I am aware of for you to get the help you know you need.
Please know that you are not alone, I and others are here to let you know that you're not alone, it's safe to open up and that no one is going to judge you or make you feel bad about what you're experiencing. We too are here to get the support and encouragement that we need to get well, find support and ways to help us get the medical attention we too know that we need.
Okay, I'm starting to ramble here, I'm sorry for that. I have a tendancy to be a bit long winded, lol. Forgive me if I've overwhelmed you. Only share what you feel comfortable with.
I'll be looking to hear from you.
TgrsPurr, xo.

how about talking to your high school psychologist. you're 17 so you are either in 11th grade or a senior so you do qualify for using that school service and as long as you are not a threat of harm to yourself (cutting, suicidal) or a threat to others then there is no reason the school psychologist has to notify your parents. Most school psychologists are in the schools at least once a week some if the school budget allows are in 2-3 days a week. also planned parenthood has therapists and they do not have to notify parents for anyone over the age of 16, the same for crisis centers.

i agree with everyone above. xoxoxo pat

I too agree with everyone above. Please seek the help that is available as it is out there.

ducttape217,
You wrote,[...felt abnormal...mood swings...parents...basically ignore me...may be because...parents (not) allowing ...how do you...?]..
I could offer you support from my perspective, if you would like. You wrote ,[...that it {may be} that your parents...]. But could it {may be} because that something else is why your parents {basically ignore}?
Could you consider the following and then have a discussion with your parents?
A.Your parents may be very concerned about you and are looking into ways to proceed before they discuss with you alternatives to your mood swings.
B. Your parents may be concerned that if you go to a psychiatrist that they will put you on a psychotropic drug that there is evidence that the drugs have the potential to cause suicide ideation and other adverse reactions that could cause depression and phsyiological harm.
C. Your parents may be of a faith that considers psychiatry that fosters the theory that there is a chemical imbalance in you ,to be a false science.
D. Your parents may be already ,unbeknowing to you, investigating what you have told them and what direction that they may advise to you.
E. Your parents may be investigating your school performance with the school's staff to make an informed decision as to how to proceed.
F. Other good and just causes that your parents seem indifferent.
Lou

ducttape, please keep posting here and try finding some help at school. let us know how you're doing. xoxox pat

ducttape please keep us up to date, we hope your doing well...and we would all like to give you some support...