What's wrong with me? Please help - Do I have Bipolar disorder ?

Hi,
I'm 15 years old.

Recently, I've been having strange changes of mood and I'm beginning to wonder whether I have some mental disorder. A couple of friends suggested Bipolar disorder to me but I think maybe I have anxiety.

Can Bipolar be triggered by things that have happened like physical abuse?

I feel like I have moments where I'm so happy I'm almost hysterical, and everything seems hilarious and brilliant. I'll do stupid things like steal someone's hat on the bus or go up to a stranger and talk to them about something stupid with absolutely no thought about the consequences. People I'm with comment that I'm ''crazy.'' When I begin to feel like myself again, I wonder why I did these things and often feel embarrassed about them.

Other times, I feel like I'm really depressed and I don't want to leave the house or speak to anyone at all. Sometimes I feel so numb that I cut myself just to feel alive again. This can last for hours, days or even weeks.

My friends notice..

...The changes in my moods.

I've been diagnosed with panic attacks, but nothing else.

I no longer have contact with my dad and my mum thinks I'm just saying it and self-harming to ''get attention.'' That's not true - I want to get help.

I'm only 15 so I can't see a doctor on my own. The school counsellor is no help, I have already tried speaking to him.

Do you think I have some kind of mental disorder?

How can I get help about this ?

Thanks for reading, all answers greatly appreciated.
<3 x

Might not be bipolar, but it seems a bit more than normal teenage 'moods'. If you are cutting yourself for 'attention' then you need attention. Try and convince your mum that you need to see a doctor. If you want tell her you came on here. I have lots of experience in mental health and Im a grown up - I think you should see your doc. That might help her see you're serious. To find out if your probs are caused by experiences or whatever would need counselling - not just to find the cause but to find out how to deal with it.Plus my doc always used to see my daughter before she was 16 without me being there. Yours might too.

yes ; now what you gonna do?

Bipolar might be a bit extreme. Your symptoms sound more like manic depressive. Yes, experiences in life can affect or trigger mental disorders. New research shows actual differences in brain chemistry and signal pathway interference. I would rule out hormone imbalance first like thyroid because it is easily diagnosed with blood samples.
A doctor needs to screen for something more sever. Don't wait. There are affective drugs for just about all mental health issues. The longer you wait, the better chance that you will put yourself at risk with risky behavior, also the older you get, some illnesses get worse and the cycles more frequent.
I hope this helps.

People often suffer from bipolaresque stuff during the teenage years. It really helps to talk to someone who you'll trust to listen and not take the piss or spill what you say. If you really can't trust anyone, Samaritans are actually a really good charity for that purpose.

Also, it's important to remember that this isn't that unusual. Loads and loads of people suffer similar things to you. You're really not alone in how you feel.

At 15 you can go to see your doctor on your own, and they will respect your patient confidentiality. However if the doctor prescribes medication for you it is really better that your Mum knows in case you have side effects. So why not make an appointment with your GP and then ask your Mum to go with you?

the fact that u notice this behavior and changes... is good.

the fact that you arent getting the help from the limited resoarces you have ... isnt good.
demand more from your councilor. if he still doesnt give you what you think u need... go over his head. There are mental health agencies. plenty of services available, butr really,,, its just about understanding who you are and what you expect from life.

mood swings and disorders are complex.. and often uncurable.... but they dont really need a cure in most cases... its about understanding the "disorder " and learning to use it in your life.. rather than having it control you.

msg me... if you wanna chat more.

I had a friend with similar symptoms. I would recomend that you visit your GP and explain these symptoms to him/her.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that you are bipolar, you're 15 years old there could be numerous causes for whats going on, you could be suffering from a certain type of depression where you're really happy around other people but sad when you're alone (i'm not sure what the name for that is, i don't pay too much of attention in my psychology class), your behavior could be caused by stress, it could be panic attacks, teenagers often do things without thinking first and then regret it later so that could possibly explain you talking to strangers, BUT before making any assumptions about what you're going through I strongly suggest that you go see a psychologist just to be safe.

I remember going through a very similar period like that when I was your age. I remember one doctor saying that I am, or will be schizophrenic (that really scared me shittie).

I did a lot of research and spoke to many doctors, and I learnt that it was just a hormone imbalance.

When you are a teenager, your hormone level is not stable ~ the transition from child to women. With some women it can last just a few years, while with others it can last years ... up to thirty - 35 years. It does not mean you will be doing crazy things all those years, it just means that you have to learn to get to know your body.

You have to learn to listen to your body ... what your body wants, what it needs. That is very important.

Learning and practising Yoga and Meditation helped me tremendously to be more aware, and to listen to my inner self.

Only You can get to know yourself :)

Give it a try dear.

Wishing you lots of happiness ...

and being a little crazy sometimes doesn't do any harm ... just do it when no one is watching, hehe

".."

i think you have a mental problem and you should do something you enjoy to cheer yourself up and you should avoid physical damages to yourself or you might kill yourself maybe chew gum when something urges you to do something stupid.