Bipolar Disorder. What is it, how is it treated, and do I have it

Question

I am a 16 year old male, and have been a straight A student up to the past two years in high school. For nearly one and a half years, I have been experiencing depression, agitation, and other strange feelings that just "come on" without notice. I often get depressed, and get angry at anyone...especially my parents. There are many times when I just don't feel like leaving the house. Sometimes my parents want me to go to the store, and all I can do is yell because I don't want to go, and when asked why I don't want to simply go to the store, I have thrown huge fits. I rarely want to leave my house, and all I do is stay on the computer all the time. I have not had depression to the severity of thinking about suicide, however I have had a few bad episodes. All of this is quite new to me, and I can barely explain it.

These moods are extremely new to me, as I have never felt like this. I have had everything going for me, literally. I had a 4.0 GPA, was the most outstanding freshman in the marching band, recieved several awards, made 1st band 1st chair in all region concert band, and already have scholorships set out for me. I have a nice home with great friends, and I really have nothing going against me. Now, however, I have Cs and Bs, which I had NEVER had before, and its not that its hard, but its lack of will...I cannot get myself to do anything. I am no longer into band as much as I was...and band was my passion. I just don't understand how everything I had going for me, and everything I loved to do is just falling out from under me. All of this started when I began having mood swings. I cannot explain why I am feeling depressed, unless it may be the extreme work load I take on at school, with being on the smart core routine. Yes...I am sort of a nerd!

Anyway, what I am getting at is maybe I just have a case of depression, or is it possible that I am bipolar? I really don't know what to look for as in symptoms and whatnot. How are you tested for it, and is it treatable? Does being bipolar mean that I am mentally challenged or mentally ill?

Answer 1

Sounds more like depression than bipolar disorder, but no one on yahoo can tell you for sure. See a doctor and ask them to test you for it. They ask questions, have you take surveys, etc...to tell if you're bipolar, depressed, etc. It could be a phase, or something more serious. So I definitely suggest a doctors perspective.

I often feel the same as you, and my grades have become lower, lack of will, depressed a bunch...etc. If you want to talk, email me through yahoo.

The lack of sleep could be insomnia.. also something to be checked by a doctor. It may or may not be connected to the mental illness.

Depression, bipolar disorder, and most other mental illnesses are very treatable by prescription, but you have to be tested [how I've stated above] and given specific medications. At times the medications may be too strong / too weak for a patient, in which case the psychiatrist [person who prescribes your meds] will change the prescription amount, or type if it doesn't work over a certain period of time.

It's actually suggested that if you believe you have a mental illness, you do NOT find symptoms on your own, but go straight to a doctor; as you can fake your brain into thinking & making up symptoms, giving false results and unnecessary treatment.

So, to summarize the answers - you may be bipolar, or depressed, or perfectly healthy. You're tested through questioning by a psychologist. It's treatable, unless you have a very rare, newly found illness (VERY unlikely). You're not mentally challenged. That's more like being mentally retarded (such as autistic.)...whereas you may possibly be mentally ILL. don't mix the two =]

Hope this helps. Email me if you wish.  

Answer 2

I have been struggling with depression for several years and I have had all of your symptoms.  I haven't been diagnosed with BP disorder but sometimes I wonder if I might have it.  You should definitely see a doctor and talk to your parents about this.  And keep in mind that people that have not experienced depression symptoms may not understand, which is why talking to a professional is the best advice anyone could give you.