[Tehrein]

Hello! New User Tehrein here. I've got a bit of a predicament: I don't actually know whether I have Bipolar Disorder or not. I've had friends saying they think I have it, I've taken quizzes that say I probably have it, I've read articles and such and blah blah, all that. I think I may have type II, but anyway. I would like to see someone to get diagnosed, but this is something I would rather not let my parents know about unless I really do have it; as in, after I see someone. Is it possible for me to see someone who can diagnose me without my parents knowing? I'm 14, and I live in the U.S. Thank you for the help.

[usbusi]

I would say it might be best to go through your parents Tehrein. But you might ask your school counselor.

[Odee]

I think the best way that you can try and figure this out by yourself would be mood charting. You can google mood charts and find one you like. Self diagnosing is tenuous but learning about yourself through daily tracking your ups and downs can never be wrong.

If you're experiencing emotional or psychic distress you don't need a diagnosable disorder to justify speaking to a counselor.

[Victoria'smom]

Can you go to your regular doctor and ask him / her to run tests to see if you have any physical issues that could cause mood swings? After the come back negative you can ask to see a psychiatrist hippa protects your privacy. Though you would have to go to a clinic because your parents see insurance statements. Who would bring you?

[Tehrein]

Now that I think about it, no one.
I might actually have to just tell my parents about it.
Which I should've done already.

[thickntired]

I think it would be a really good idea to just go ahead and tell your parents. I don't even know if doctor's give psychotropic medication to ppl under age 18. But I wish you the best of luck on your decision

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

[Clinte89]

YEah I think you should tell your parents your having a rough time of it and get some help. I wish you the best of luck.

[Odee]

Originally Posted by thickntired

I think it would be a really good idea to just go ahead and tell your parents. I don't even know if doctor's give psychotropic medication to ppl under age 18. But I wish you the best of luck on your decision

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

I was placed on Lexapro at 15 and know a lot of people have been prescribed AD's in their teenage years. Of course, this was by a trained psychiatrist and my Pdoc at the time required recommendation by my therapist as she continued my perscription.

Of course, I also only saw this psychiatrist at the hospital for a total of 10 minutes max.
(but then again, I have no idea if seeing him for 30 minutes or an hour would have done anything. It was obviously depression.)

[hamster-bamster]

You say you are in the States - I think the laws about the age of patients vary by state, so there is no federal law. For instance, in California after 12 parents do not have online access to their children's charts. I am not sure about offline access.