I have a 14 year old daughter whom I am beginning to worry could be Bipolar. I don't know if I'm over reacting and it's just normal 14 year old behavior. Depression and anxiety run in my family but no one has been diagnosed with being bipolar.
Does anyone have a bipolar teen or know someone who has one? I plan on making an appointment with a professional but would like to talk with someone who has dealt with this issue.
Let me also recommend a medical doctor. Sometimes the changes in hormones can be so drastic as to create the appearance of bi-polar. His name is Dr. Roger Sphar and he is an MD. His numbers are (800) 272-7428 and e-mail is ____@____.com
Dr. Sphar is a MD who focuses on wellness and tries to always go the natural route.
Hope this help.
A.,
Bipolar can manifest itself differently in teens. I found one good book on it a while back that you should search for at the library. Since you have mental health issues in your family background, it is possible that your daughter does have something.It could even be depression. (However, drugs can cause similar, erratic behaviors, too.) Besides having a family full of mental disorders, I have a sister-in-law, 29, with bipolar disorder and a future son-in-law, 21, who wasn't diagnosed until high school. Bipolar people absolutely must take their meds or they could harm themselves in their mania stage. You need to research the symptoms on credible websites and make a list of symptoms to take to the doctor. Good luck.
I have a 14 year old son with bipolar. I would be glad to chat with you.
I've been Bi-Polar for many years. I was actually diagnosed around 18, but my sophomore year in high school, I lived with my aunt and uncle and my uncle was convinced even then that I was bi-polar. (He even went so far as to beg my mother for permission to have me tested)..
I laughed it off at the time, saying I was just a normal teen.
Some of the symptoms I remember from that time period though, were not "normal" in hindsight.
I would be doing normal things, when out of no where I would be seized with massive anxiety. No reason, I would just become very anxious.
I was also very exciteable out of nowhere and for no reason (mania). I remember this happening more in the evenings. I was always a very poor sleeper.
I could be washing dishes, and all of a sudden get super, super excited about nothing and would end up with the energy of a little kid- jumping around, talking fast, staying up all night. I always wanted to be around my friends because being alone could trigger the depression. I was terrified of being lonely and falling into that horrible sadness I couldnt shake.
There were even times at school when I should have been fine, when friends would ask me all day "whats wrong?" and I just didnt know. The moods could change instantly and without rhyme or reason.
Im 28 now, and although I was diagnosed at 18, I refused medications for many years. I was hospitalized after the birth of my second child for post-partum, and the bi-poal. At that time, I stopped telling myself I wasnt sick and decided that even if I felt "fine", I needed to take care of myself for my children.
I still have ups and downs, but it's not the ROLLERCOASTER it used to be. And it literally was a rollercoaster.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If I can remember more of my symptoms, Ill be sure to take note and post them.
i think that because you fell anxiety and depression run in your family you think that your daughter has it dont claim what you believe is there sometime we make thing more then what they are dont put that on your daughter i use to think that i had anxiety and they wont to give me pills to control it i went to my pastor and ask him about anxiety yes i am a christian and we tend to speak thing into our lives but he told me to pray every time i felt it never took the pills and i dont feel that way anymore sometime they wont us to think that our kids are mrdd or depress the devil is a liar dont claim that sometime we all have mood swing just try it pray about your daughter if you still feel the need to see a doctor feel free but god is a doctor to and can fix your problem your family dont show no sign so nither does your child PRAYIN FOR YOU AND YOURS
I WAS a bipolar teen, does that count? :) You didn't say anything about what makes you think she's bipolar, though. Honestly, I hear a lot of people use that term lately but they don't really understand what it means. Maybe you do. Be absolutely sure it's bipolar specifically though and not something else before you suggest it to a physician or psychologist. A bad one will take that suggestion and run with it for all it's worth. A good doctor will spend a great deal of time with your daughter before any diagnosis. There are lots of resources out there, but the most credible would be nmha.org, nimh.nih.gov, bipolar.about.com, and if you do a search for "kay redfield" you'll find her book on the topic. PM me if you like. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
Hi A.! I have bipolar and was diagnosed a few years ago. My 11 year old daughter has also recently been diagnosed with bipolar (yes, a young age, but comfortable with the diagnosis). I would make no assumptions just yet until you see a doctor, and skip the psychologist and go straight to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist is who will be able to diagnose AND prescribe medicines if necessary, after that just educate yourself as much as you possibly can about this illness. There are so many things that you will be able to do for your daughter that can help her, that you're probably unaware of. The internet is a great tool and the websites that were previously mentioned are great, but I would also go a little further and purchase some books. The books will help you help her ... and in addition, they're a great resource. Even if your daughter isn't bipolar, I am a great advocate for counseling ... sometimes you just need to talk to someone. Good luck!
