[itsashley123]

I know a lot of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and I feel like it's really likely that I have, at least, a mild form of it. But, I'm still not sure. I know you're going to tell me to get professional help and let them tell me, but that's..too hard. It's not really an option. So, if you are diagnosed with it, when did you find out for sure? How did you know? And..can you help me? Thanks.

[AbeIsAbe]

We are going to tell you to seek professional help because that is how we got diagnosed (except for the people who diagnose themselves, which doesn't help because then they can't be medicationally treated). I found on in January. I figured it out a week before when I was very manic. I think the way we can help you is for you to tell us WHY you can't get professional help. Then we can give suggestions or tips.

If you DO have Bipolar, I would look up the Kindling Theory. The Kindling Theory is a big reason why I continue treatment.

[itsashley123]

The reason I can't get help is basically because I'm too scared. I'm 17 and a senior in high school. The only people who know that I'm even having anything emotionally going on are my internet friends, no one from real life. I don't trust my school friends enough to say anything to them. With my acting friends (non-school friends), I'm scared they would think of me differently, treat me differently. With family..it's similar to my acting friends. I'm just too scared. I don't want to put up a red flag, only to find out that really nothing out of the ordinary is wrong.

Hello,

Despite your protest, I will say that you really should get professional help. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder in a psychiatric hospital after a severe manic episode. Everyone who was formally diagnosed with Bipolar had to see a professional to get it. Most people with Bipolar find that they require medication to balance themselves out. It took a long time, and a lot of frustration, but I finally found the med combo that worked. Without medication, I would be very unstable right now.

Even if you think your symptoms are "mild", if they are bothering you, I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist. I know it's hard to think about what others may think of you, but this is how you find out who those people are in your life who accept you for who you are. My mental health journey began at 16 (I am now 19), and 99% of people who found out about it were very supportive. You might be surprised!

[AbeIsAbe]

Exactly what Melissa is saying. If you don't seek help, you will eventually end up hospitalized and then people are going to know. It sounds like you are ashamed of this possibility. This isn't a joke or something small. Mild or not, Bipolar gets worse and worse as it is left untreated.

Furthermore, financially speaking, you are better off getting help while you are on your parents health insurance than trying to get help, when you have no choice, but have no insurance or money.

Your friends don't have to know. But if you are having emotional highs and lows, chances are, they already notice and are simply not putting the puzzle together. Do you not have anyone at all in your life who would be supportive of you no matter what? Maybe a grandparent or an aunt or a cousin.

My last suggestion is to maybe fake a cold or something that would lead you to have a general doctor appointment. When you get in with the doctor, discuss your feelings with them and your suspicions. Express your fears and concerns about your family and friends finding out. I don't know where you live but in the US, HIPPA prevents doctors from telling your health problems to anyone.

[itsashley123]

Financially, I don't even know what's going on. I'm pretty sure my family doesn't have full medical insurance and I know we wouldn't have enough money for a therapist.

[AbeIsAbe]

Prevention costs less than emergency.

An inpatient stay costs thousands of dollars. And thats for 5 DAYS.
1 doctors appointment and a months worth of medications costs much much less.

I'm not familiar with how the health care system works anywhere outside of Canada, but wouldn't there be some sort of support for those who don't have full medical insurance, or for those who have a low income?

I mean, if someone NEEDS to see a psychiatrist or needs medications, can they really be turned away if they don't have money? =/ It just doesn't seem right.

is there someone at school you could talk to like a counsellor who could help you with this?

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by melissa.recovering

I mean, if someone NEEDS to see a psychiatrist or needs medications, can they really be turned away if they don't have money? =/ It just doesn't seem right.

In the US, you can't be turned away from an emergency department, but doctors, psychiatrists included, don't have to treat you if you can't pay. Usually, you pay, whether it's copay with insurance or cash for the whole bill before you even see a doctor. The doctor doesn't see you, doesn't know you have been turned away, and doesn't turn you away, the receptionist does. As for meds, you pay for meds or copays when you pick them up. Just like any store, if you can't pay you can't play.

[Anneinside]

itsashley123, if your symptoms are causing trouble in your life, then you owe it to yourself to see a professional, be it a psychiatrist or psychologist. No one here can diagnose you and it wouldn't matter if we could because you wouldn't be getting treatment.

[Detach]

Originally Posted by itsashley123

I know a lot of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and I feel like it's really likely that I have, at least, a mild form of it. But, I'm still not sure. I know you're going to tell me to get professional help and let them tell me, but that's..too hard. It's not really an option. So, if you are diagnosed with it, when did you find out for sure? How did you know? And..can you help me? Thanks.

I wouldn't approach a conversation about it with your parents by saying..... "Ya-know I think I have Bipolar". Nooo, just be honest and discuss the symptoms you're having that are troubling you and ask them if you could get checked out. Let them worry about the financial aspect of it all... and FYI most insurance companies will pay most of your therapist appt's also- I just have a co-pay.

[Charlie_J]

I recently was formally diagnosed at the age of 35, after suffering with it for over twenty years. Looking back now, I can't believe I never saw it, but I took a long time to go through old diaries and stuff until I had a reasonably detailed graph of my life, and it was quite obvious.

When I was younger, it wasn't so ingrained or constant, and I wish I'd had a diagnosis earlier. My last few big highs have involved a complete reinvention of myself, and my depressions have lost me everything. My weight alone, which regularly involves the loss or gain of at least 85 pounds is making me ill.

Please don't be embarrassed to seek out the truth while it's in your mind and your power. It may even turn out to be nothing.

Good luck!

[itsashley123]

Originally Posted by AbeIsAbe

Prevention costs less than emergency.

An inpatient stay costs thousands of dollars. And thats for 5 DAYS.
1 doctors appointment and a months worth of medications costs much much less.

...That doesn't mean we have the money for prevention. Obviously prevention costs less than emergency, but that doesn't mean we can afford it.

[itsashley123]

Originally Posted by Anika

is there someone at school you could talk to like a counsellor who could help you with this?

The counselor at my school is more like a college helper than for guidance. Plus, I'm no where near comfortable with her.

[Detach]

Originally Posted by itsashley123

...That doesn't mean we have the money for prevention. Obviously prevention costs less than emergency, but that doesn't mean we can afford it.

There are county funded facilities for mental health that you pay what you can on a sliding scale for how much you earn per year if you have no insurance, taking into consideration cost of living and how many people are in your family. Just an idea...