what do i do

For one, go see your counselor. That is something important that you should do on a regular basis.

Just tell her how you have been feeling. Tell her what your mother said, thats a good description. You should find talking about it is much easier once you get started.

Plus, talking about it will make you feel a little better.
And know that I am praying for you. I was your age when I was diagnosed. (the beginning of this year, actually) It really sounds like you have bp, or manic depression.

then again, it could be something different. Thats a big reason why you should go see your counselor.
If you are diagnosed, you may or may not need to be placed on medication, it depends. Don't be upset or ashamed to be on medication if you are placed on it.

It's not a bad thing.

*hugs* I'm praying for you, and praying you will get through this well.

nessa said:

thank you...right now, i really need the prayers...and to add to all of this, i am having a hard time sleeping at night

all my parents say is that i need to get a new sleeping pattern...but it just isn't as easy as that.

HOW DO I GET THEM TO LISTEN???

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You need to tell your counselor all of this, including your sleeping troubles.

Yes, parents do think that it is all simple as that. I understand where you are coming from. It's because since it's nice and easy for them, it's easy for you. All the advice I can give you is to beg them to let you see your counselor. Convince them that you want things to get better, but that you need some help. And keep at it too. Don't give up.

At the same time, do not let it escalate out of control. Do not use drastic measures (ie suicide attempt) to get their attention. You are of age now, and could go out on your own and make an appointment. I know paying for it is a problem (unless you are a student or still on your parents insurance), but trust me, the cost is worth it. And yes, if you are still on your parents insurance, you can make the appointment yourself. You do not need their permission, unless you depend on them for transportation. It will show up on their insurance bill, but tell them that you had to do something since they weren't paying attention. They'll dislike you for going behind their backs, but you had to do something.

P.S. I normally do not advocate doing something sneaky and underhanded. But when it comes to a person's health and well being, especially mental health, something has to be done. Apathy almost cost me my life....

Well first off, don't be afraid or worried. Remember, she won't judge you. And its best to just tell her that you haven't been feeling well, and remember your feelings, telling them to her as you remember them.

It may be hard, but rest as much as and as often as you can. Even if its not really sleeping, rest alot. before you go to sleep, don't eat, but you may want to drink something warm. Or you can exercise.... That tires your body, making it want to sleep. A hot shower may work also.

These are just some tips, they don't always work, but you can try them and see if they help.

Oh and drink LOTS of water, it'll help you get better quicker.

*hugs* You get better, and keep us posted on how you are, mkay?

Nessa,

have you/are you taking any medication for your Bipolar? Bipolar is one of those disorders that is extremely hard to treat without medication.

As others have said, I would go talk to your counselor. Counselors, generally and by their nature, are not there to judge you or look down on you. I know that as a counselor, I don't look down on my clients for having to deal with something they can't control.

I have a lot of clients that have mood disorders.

Nessa,

You should chart your ups and downs so if and when you do see a dr. you will have something more substantial to give to him. Make notes of how you feel along the way too.

As far as the sleeping goes, I have an 18 year old son and a 25 year old nephew and their sleeping patterns are all off because one night they will stay up all night and then the next day sleep for 14 hours. This happens off and on all week and they are a mess. But if you are truly in a manic state and are not sleeping because of that, until you see a dr. you might try a health food store. Valerian is a wonderful herb for actually feeding the nerves, it helped me. You can take as many as 2 or 3 at a time 3 times a day until you are calmer and can sleep. It is exceeding mild and as long as you don't go over what the bottle says you will be fine. Solaray is a good product (I used to own a health food store).

Becky

*smiles*
We are all supporting you, dear. As I said, keep us posted!

Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Do I have fears which are persistent, of unlikely events?
Do I hear voices?
Does my mood cause me to lose interst in things I once enjoyed?
Do I feel connected to other people?
Do I get along with other people?
Do I ever think I have special powers or abilities no one else has?
Do I make decisions which hurt me?
Do I make good choices about members of the opposite sex?
Do I have patterns of intentional sin which seem impossible to break, or which I justify?
Can I sit quietly and pray for extended periods, perhaps an hour?
Do I get distracted easily?
Do sudden sounds startle me?
Do I have a sense of well being?
Do I have rewarding relationships, with quality people?
Do most of the people I see seem to have emotional pain?
Is there addiction in my family?
Have members of my family been convicted of a crime?
Do I feel like I need to run away?
Do I require help doing things I don't find interesting?
Do I lose track of time easily?
Do I lose things often?
Can I follow a sequential list of instructions to complete a task?
Has my weight changed by more than 10 pounds in one month?
Has my sleep pattern changed?
Has my appetite changed?
Am I promiscuous?
Do I take risks?
Am I attracted to people who take risks?
Am I an addict, to anything?
Do I fear losing control?
Am I in control of myself?
Do I get what I want out of life?
Does everything seem like a battle?
Do I have many intense emotions, which adversely affect me?
Do I know proper social limitations?
Do I feel rejected easily?
Do I feel jealous easily?
Is there one person I could not get along without, emotionally?
Do I fall fast, and hard?
Am I attracted to relationships which hold no hope for reward?
Does my life have any reward, which is truly satisfying?
Do I think if I could just get married, things would be OK?
Do I succeed in my daily activities?
If not, what is the pattern to my lack of success?
Do I feel safe?
Is there anywhere I can go to be safe?
Do I feel wanted?
Do I feel needed?
Have I suffered any emotional wounds?
If so, what are they?
Who caused them?
Have I forgiven that person?
Did I play any part in my emotional woundedness?
Have I forgiven myself?
Do I trust God completely?
What am I not willing to trust God with?
Why not?
Why?
Do I think I am beautiful?
Can I look myself in the eye, comfortably?
Does the truth scare me?
Am I afraid of what is inside me?
Do I love myself?
Does God Love me?
Do I blame God for anything?
Did God do anything bad to me?
Can I forgive God?
Will God forgive me?
How can I help myself?
How can I believe in myself?
You are worth a lot to God. He wants to show you your pain so He can heal it. Jesus is the great healer. Talk to Him.

Nessa, we are praying for you!!! Please know if writing a list is to hard, just print what you have written here and take it with you to the counselor.
There is hope for you whther you are bp or something else! Always remeber how very precious your are to God!!! YOu are a true princess! A beloved daughter of the King of Kings! Know you will always find love and support here