[brainbeforebeuty28]

I don't know if I'm bi polar or not I'm afraid to falsely be diagnosed with anything. I feel like I could be fired at any point and that everyone hates me. Then others times I want to talk to everyone and give out my whole life story. I hate staying anywhere too long it makes me nervous and upset and irritated. I have trouble expressing why I feel the way I feel . Sometime I feel like doing things that I shouldn't but I do it without thinking. Idk should I go see a t. I don't like medicine if they prescribe it do I have to take it.

[pink&grey]

See a therapist to talk it out. Therapists don't prescribe medications, but can help you figure out if you might want/need to try them.

[gayleggg]

I agree, seek professional help for diagnosis. We can support you with your symptoms but can't diagnose. I can understand your not wanting to take meds but sometimes it's the only way to get better, however, meditation and mindfulness help some through their symptoms. Hope you find what you need here. Just jump in and post when you feel like it.

[brainbeforebeuty28]

So I can go see a t and as long as I don't show any signs of self harm they can't force me to go see someone that will make me take medicine cause I don't want to end up locked up or forced to take medicine. And further more what exactly can I not say like what exactly qualify someone as harmful to them selves or others. Like if I told my therapist there was an incident where I got so stressed and then depressed from the stress that I had a panic attack and couldn't breathe but was so depressed I didn't care if I never breathed again. Would she make me take meds because technically I wasn't purposely trying to harm myself I just wasn't helping myself. I mean it's not that I don't want get help at this point it's that I don't want to be forced to get on medication especially if I'm not even sure if it will help. I also want to be able to get off medication if it doesn't help but I'm afraid if I go to the t and truely talk about how I feel sometimes then I will be force to take medication.

[Noodles_320]

Brainb4,

My first major depressive episode happened at age 16. It took until age 30 until I was diagnosed with BP. It's a long hard road. When I was first diagnosed I fought medication because 1. I did not want to come to terms with my ailment. 2. Because I thought I could fix the problem myself.

My therapist who was awesome, put things into perspective. She looked at me one day and said "if you had high blood pressure what would you do?". I responded, "well I would take medication to get it under control." The light bulb went one for me at that very moment.

When it's a physical condition vs a mental condition it's much harder to accept the fact that med's can be a very important component of managing our condition. Med's are only a small part of managing our condition, but its a start. I will never forget the first 6 months I was on med's....it was awesome in a good way. I was balanced, focused, "normal", felt like I was a part of life and not just some odd ball.

1. Get into and stay into therapy (even when you think things are going well), because you will have your ups and downs. 2. Work with your Pdoc on med's. 3. It may take time to find the right combination that works for you, and don't be afraid to challenge your Pdoc if the med's are not working.

No one can force you to take med's, but also consider the fact that med's can help once you find the right combination. I wish you the best!!!!!!!

[Victoria'smom]

Here's what I have learned. Past events therapists just write down so they know it can get "that bad". Many therapists deal with clients that self harm. It is not an indication of suicide its an indication of overwhelming feeling that clients can't deal with or trauma. If you tell a therapist you are suicidal they will use a scale like this and depending on what they are comfortable with will increase appointments, make a safety plan, or insist on hospitalization. If you are willing to go volunteerally its usually not a locked ward and 3-5 days. Therapist generally avoid diagnosing and treat symptoms. You have a right to interview the therapist and ask these questions. You are the one that hires the therapist. If you are enough of a threat to yourself that you have to be hospitalized you have every right to stop taking the medication when you are no longer deemed a threat to yourself.

When I interview new therapists I plan to tell them how bad I can get so they can decide whether they are willing to deal with me at my worded.