not sure - help me

I believe I have bi-polar, my father has it and I seem to experience highs and lows, some times this is much stronger then other times. When I'm on a high i deny the possibilities of me having it, but when I'm on a low I keep thinking about that i might have it.

it started a few years ago, and i found ways to deal with it, like having a very close friend, and we used to talk a lot about our current problems and thoughts. I moved schools to suit me and he got a girlfriend and he hasn't looked back. Another way I used to deal with it was gaming, but that's gone too, due to a storm. The ways I used to deal with pressure, and something to get me to the end of the school day has gone. I'm experiencing worse mood swings, and less sleep, and changed appetite.

I want to know you're opinion; am I bi-polar or just having a really bad time?
I've never thought about getting myself professionally diagnosed, because it would require me talking to my mother, and my father's bi-polar ripped our family apart.

in-case you're wondering, I'm 14 years old.

Cheers

Welcome to PC!

Really only a professional can tell you for sure - They are now dx bipolar in teenagers and even young though the symptoms are a bit different.

Are you parents still together? If not are you with your Mom? You probably should talk to her about how your feeling.

Post again!

I agree with Direction.
And you should talk to your mom, and get a true psychiatric evaluation to arrive a proper DX(s) and/or find out if you you have one or not.
Having a parent(s) that have Bipolar in their family (genes) will increase the chances that their offspring may have some form/level of Bipolar.
Your mom needs to realize it's not a sin, it is a sin if one is denied of psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment, if needed. She may be in denial, which eventually makes matters worse.
The sooner you see a pdoc, and get on treatment, if a DX has been made, the sooner you can get a handle on your life and prevent any unecessary derailing.
If possible, try to explain this to her and the importance of addressing this preventive measure.
You may even want to just start with a psychologist and then go with it from there, don't rely on a GP for this area/field of medicine.
Hope all works out for you.
Take care now,
DE

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Direction said:

Are you parents still together? If not are you with your Mom? You probably should talk to her about how your feeling.

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yeah, I'm with my mum but It just wouldn't be conformable talking to her about this, because of all the things that has happened in the past because of my dad and shes tried so hard for me to not 'become' like my dad.

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darkeyes said:
Your mom needs to realize it's not a sin, it is a sin if one is denied of psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment, if needed. She may be in denial, which eventually makes matters worse.
The sooner you see a pdoc, and get on treatment, if a DX has been made, the sooner you can get a handle on your life and prevent any unecessary derailing.

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If i did talk to her about it; she would understand the importance of it and take it as far as I wished her too. But that's one thing -- i don't want this to be a big deal, I don't want to take medication, I just want to know if I have it, and if there's anyway I can help the situation.

Thanks very much for your replies

Paperback said:

If i did talk to her about it; she would understand the importance of it and take it as far as I wished her too. But that's one thing -- i don't want this to be a big deal, I don't want to take medication, I just want to know if I have it, and if there's anyway I can help the situation.

To know for sure only a professional can make proper evaluation and DX.
Sure there are all types of "do-it-yourself" questionaires, or terrific books about Bipolar, even medical journals,etc.
But that can never substitute for true evaluation and DX.
If you were DXed and told you require medication, you'd refuse it? Wouldn't make sense to do that, unless you want to derail, and then it can become "a big deal" even though you said you don't want it to be. You decide, it's your life, you are free to take whatever route you so wish.
I wish you luck with this,whatever you choose.
Take care,
DE

To reinforce what darkeyes has said only a pdoc can make a reliable dx. If you want to know you may want to see one and get a professional opinion.

From someone who has "derailed" a few times the meds far outweigh the damage that can be done IMO. I resent taking them too but would rather have a good quality of life.

I know you will make the right decision for you. Take care.

BB

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darkeyes said:

If you were DXed and told you require medication, you'd refuse it?

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I wouldn't refuse, I myself wouldn't like the idea -- but i'd still do what the professional said.

Thanks again for helping.

Good - so let's get prepared to talk to mom - in person, in a letter, but somehow you need to talk to her.