Does it (always) need to be treated?

[Alive again]

Its a good start. The Psychologist will talk to you for several sessions, and if you are in the US, one of your parents will have to be there. Ths Psychologist will ask you about problems you are having and will assess you. It will likely take several sessions, but if he suspects (or if you tell him) that you are bipolar, he will test you. If you are indeed bipolar, then, HE will tell your parents and convince them that you have to see a psychiatrist instead of him/her. The reason is, a psychologist cannot prescribe medication. Bipolar is a chemical inbalance. It is not "crazy". It is just like having diabetes.

I promise, your parents may be a bit shocked initially, but once they understand that it is a disease just like any other, they will not think you are "crazy".

Chemical inbalances such as bipolar and depression are very misunderstood. You actually have to go through it before it is understood. Your doctors will help your parents to understand. It really will be okay and getting professional help will be a great first step towards controlling the disease.

Lisa

Yes, excellent advice! and Yes, as a parent of course you would be worried! My son caused us much worry over the years. (He started treatment at age 6 for depression, it was eventually changed to bp2) But the sorry comes from love. And with mental health issues there is much misunderstanding, and in Christian circles there can be much mistrust of psych professionals. You will be helped whoever you see if you are honest. If you are fortunate you may find a Christian psychologist in your area. That may be what your Dad is looking for. Irregardless a psychologist can help diagnose you and then help you find a good psychiatrist and get into the psychiatrist quicker if it is bp and you need meds. So be honest with them! IN the US starting in your teen years you have rights to have privacy with your therapist and do not have to have your parents in the room with you. It is okay to ask for this, but as parent I can tell you it drives you nuts and you worry greatly about what is going on in there. So include your parents in short times with you and your therapist as you can to help your parents deal with their fears and to help them understand and begin to cope with whatever is going on with you. The more they understand, the more we will pray they will become supportive of your treatment! Praying!

 

[Lisa0315]

Yes, excellent advice! and Yes, as a parent of course you would be worried! My son caused us much worry over the years. (He started treatment at age 6 for depression, it was eventually changed to bp2) But the sorry comes from love. And with mental health issues there is much misunderstanding, and in Christian circles there can be much mistrust of psych professionals. You will be helped whoever you see if you are honest. If you are fortunate you may find a Christian psychologist in your area. That may be what your Dad is looking for. Irregardless a psychologist can help diagnose you and then help you find a good psychiatrist and get into the psychiatrist quicker if it is bp and you need meds. So be honest with them! IN the US starting in your teen years you have rights to have privacy with your therapist and do not have to have your parents in the room with you. It is okay to ask for this, but as parent I can tell you it drives you nuts and you worry greatly about what is going on in there. So include your parents in short times with you and your therapist as you can to help your parents deal with their fears and to help them understand and begin to cope with whatever is going on with you. The more they understand, the more we will pray they will become supportive of your treatment! Praying!

Ah, the privacy acts...yes, it is true, but the catch is most psychologists will not treat unless the parent is in the room.

Maybe, that is just my area, I don't know...

Lisa

 

[Alive again]

With my son we were not allowed in the room except when the therapist and my son chose to have us there. I usually was in the waiting room.

 

[graceskr]

OKay. Thanks guys. Just one more thing:

Should I wait 'till I pass being a teenager to actually have a diagnose? Because I noticed that you guys are all adults. I mean like, I'm just 14, and it might even be a bit unreliable with the whole teenager thing, you know. I, personally, don't think it is the teen thing, but it may be. Maybe shold I wait 'till I leave school, and see how I go? Or is the sooner the better?

Plus, I feel a bit awkward going up to my parents and asking them if I could go to a phsychiatrist, you know. Because I get lazy, short-tempered or whatever it is, they would probably think I'm making up excuses for the way I am.

My first suicidal depressive episode was at 18, but I experienced non-situational depression years before that.

I'm bipolar II which carries one of the highest suicide rates of all psychiatric illnesses. If you think you have bipolar, you're never too young to find out. I wish I'd known at your age.