[Guess7131]

So when i was 17 i got sectioned because i had taken a large overdose.
I was there for 6 weeks then released. Now, I have just learned that they wanted to keep me in longer because they thought i was still unstable. The doctors suspected i had Bipolar (i was not told this), But they did tell my Gran. They also said they couldn't diagnose me because i was too young. Am i correct in saying that you can be diagnosed at that age? I'm just left a little confused as i cannot remember any of it.

[Prism Bunny]

I am unsure why they would say you cannot be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder while in your teens. Bipolar Disorder usually develops from ages of fifteen to thirty years old, though it can even develop in young children. Maybe they cannot diagnose it for insurance reasons? I am unsure about how the UK treats mental illness for teens and young adults.

Usually they diagnose you at the age of 18.

[Miss Laura]

Apparently here in the UK the professionals try not to diagnose in children under 18 years old as you are still developing. I was told this by my Psychiatrist. If you are diagnosed they definitely wouldn't put you on meds you would have therapy instead

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Originally Posted by Prism Bunny

I am unsure why they would say you cannot be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder while in your teens. Bipolar Disorder usually develops from ages of fifteen to thirty years old, though it can even develop in young children. Maybe they cannot diagnose it for insurance reasons? I am unsure about how the UK treats mental illness for teens and young adults.

I agree, but some doctors are hesitant about diagnosing a young adult with bipolar disorder because they know that young adults can be hormonal. (Basically, they're not competent enough to differentiate between hormones and mental illness.) It happens here in the US too. The only way to circumvent this problem is to find a really good psychiatrist who has experience in treating adolescents. Most psychiatrists can't tell between hormones and mental illness in adolescents.

I would recommend Guess7131 to seek out another psychiatrist for a second opinion -- specifically one who specializes in young adult psychiatry.

My friend in high school was diagnosed as bipolar when he was 13. He was closely monitored by a therapist and a psychiatrist, and it was found that his mood swings were not purely hormonal.

[Icare dixit]

What caused you to overdose (what kind of state were you in)? Did they tell your gran why they suspected BP?

It would be too soon to diagnose anyone, regardless of age.

[Guess7131]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

What caused you to overdose (what kind of state were you in)? Did they tell your gran why they suspected BP?

It would be too soon to diagnose anyone, regardless of age.

I cant remember why i did it. I was definitely depressed at the time but i was also Agitated, Couldn't sleep etc. I tried killing 3 times in 3 day's (i was absolutely out of it) I escaped from the hospital the first day. The second day i was put in an adult psych ward, The third day i was moved to an adolescent unit. As for the 3rd Overdose, I had taken 200 Diclazepam (20mg) and 70 Clonazolam (0.5mg - Also one of the strongest benzos available.). And i don't everything they told my gran. She hasn't told me yet.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by Guess7131

I cant remember why i did it. I was definitely depressed at the time but i was also Agitated, Couldn't sleep etc. I tried killing 3 times in 3 day's (i was absolutely out of it) I escaped from the hospital the first day. The second day i was put in an adult psych ward, The third day i was moved to an adolescent unit. As for the 3rd Overdose, I had taken 200 Diclazepam (20mg) and 70 Clonazolam (0.5mg - Also one of the strongest benzos available.). And i don't everything they told my gran. She hasn't told me yet.

Be careful with (substituted) benzos (or antidepressants and other anxiolytics) even at normal doses. I remember post-operation withdrawal and it was possibly worse than any pain (the combination did make it very bad though) I had even before the operation (for extreme imflammation of and around my appendix) and a mild/moderate typical antipsychotic overdose.

Intoxication/use can be as bad as withdrawal. Withdrawal can make you overdose.

I don't know if any of that played a part, but can't be sure about any BP when using or withdrawing from antidepressants/anxiolytics. Only afterwards and sometimes by analysing your history where you didn't use any such meds.

But they'll figure it out, I'm sure. It takes time, because of the episodic nature of BP. It's better to wait for the right diagnosis than to quickly get the wrong one.

[cashart10]

I live in the US and I was diagnosed at 15. Acute mania can be diagnosed fairly quickly.

[Victoria'smom]

My son was dx around 6.

[st0psign]

I was dxed at 14, did my 1st IP stay at 17.