Will diagnosis of a mental illness 'follow' you?

Question

I've been having some trouble lately and I have an appointment to go to the doctor in a few days. By 'trouble' I mean that while I have had anxiety for years, I suspect that I might have bipolar disorder/depression. Anyway, I'm 17 and under a lot of stress, things are getting so much harder to deal with, and I think I really should get some help. My parents are unsupportive and not easy to talk to about this kind of stuff, so 'explaining' to them isn't an option. They think I should be able to change myself through willpower. They told me I shouldn't get professional help because this will always be in my records, and it will 'affect me for the rest of my life.' My mom says I won't get into college because of it! I know they're not really educated about these things, and while I believe it's not true, it's getting me a tiny bit paranoid... So is it true that mental illness will follow me and 'ruin my life'?

Answer 1

No it will not unless you want it to.I recommend  to seek advice from your local mental heath services unit.I was diagnosed with anxiety depression and it is nothing to be ashamed about.and also there is outpatient programs you can attend with people your age!!!cool eh! so please consider what i said and also talk to your family doctor he/she can referral you as well. good luck!!!

Answer 2

I don't think it will be on your records. I think that the only people that would be able to access it would be the military. College doesn't look into your medical records. I know that for sure. And especially since you're only 17, your medical records are even more private than an adults. I'm in college and have been hospitalized 3 times for a danger to myself, and have seen many psychologists. It didn't affect school at all. Don't worry about it following  you.  You should get the help you feel you need.

Answer 3

Trust me the sooner you get professional help the better. I tried for 20 years to get by on willpower, and wasted a lot of years due to it by only half living. Your parents don't know what they are talking about. It is sad because they should be trying to support you as their child. I also suffer from depression and anxiety.

You probably have a chemical imbalance, and will do much better with some meds to help with this. It WILL NOT hurt your ability to get into college. Your medical records are private. In fact if you actually knew how many people have a problem with depression and anxiety you would be surprised how many of your fellow students have problems too. In fact NOT getting help will make your grades suffer and you will as a result have problems getting into college due to that.

I hope you can find someone to offer you some emotional support. Get in and see a doctor or psychiatrist. They are both doctors as opposed to a psychologist. They can get you on appropriate medication to balance out your brain chemistry. If you think you need some counseling too, they can help you with that as well.

Good luck, and nip this in the bud now. Life is too short to live in misery.

Answer 4

no your parents sound just like mine they're just scared for you but if you have a problem you need to deal with it because a carry around a mental illness would be much worse then having something on your record

Answer 5

The best thing you can do for yourself is get help....  irregardless of what your parents say.  Odds are that your parents grew up in a generation where a lot of stigma is attached to mental illness, and when they were your age, people that were diagnosed with mental illness were likely still institutionalized - often permanently.

I have had mental illness (severe depression and dysthymia) since about the age of 7 (so far as I can figure).  My parents, doctors, family, schools, etc. just labelled me a 'bad kid' and wrote me off to be a burden to society.  Mental illness wasn't openly discussed 20 years ago.  Finally when I was finished school and on my own, at the age of 21, I sought professional help.  Something that I wish had been done for me years earlier.  

I'm 27 now, graduated from high school with honours, was a provincial scholar (one of the highest academic awards available in our jurisdiction), graduated from college with Dean's honours, have a very satisfying job that pays well, a wonderful husband and I own my own home.  I would say that I am a far stretch from the burden that I was labelled as 20 years ago.  If you choose to let mental illness ruin your life, it will.  I didn't.

Not seeking help WILL ruin your life, as possibly even make it come to an early end.

The only people that will know that you have sought help for your anxiety/depression are the people that you tell.  I am still very cautious about earning people's trust before I disclose anything about my 'illness' because you never know how people will react.  My general attitude is that my speaking out and sharing my story may give someone else the courage to seek help and possibly even save a life.

Although I know that I can't talk about psychotherapy etc. with my Mom (she honestly believes that Psychiatrists blame everything on your upbringing and parents), I have opened her eyes to know that there is really nothing 'wrong' with my affliction. It's like having any other physical illness.  From the 'bad kid' that I was, I've certainly made my parents proud.

Answer 6

No this is not true. There are millions of people who struggle with this type of disorders and live perfectly normal lives! You should do what you feel is right for you and if you feel you should seek help then you should regardless of anyone. Keep your head held high!

Answer 7

it says more about your character that you are trying to get help as opposed to hiding from it.

strong people address illnesses like that and seek solutions.

keep in mind that "anxiety" is very broad and used to discribe pretty much everyone.

are you looking for attention?

your parents are right about willpower. if you let the "thought" of illness stop you from progressing in life then maybe you do have an issue, or will develope one soon. regardless, people that have drive and want to live life do so regardless of anxiety. if its too difficult they seek help so they can be happy.

lots of people deal with mental illness and a lot of people can relate to your battle with it. there are more of them than you think. unless your planning on running for president or going to be in the fbi, no it will not follow you around.

keep in mind as well, a lot of type "A" personalities are borderlining on anxiety type effects. its all about how you handle it. be an adult and get help if you need it. it will speak volumes when you do what you can to help yourself succeed in life.

Answer 8

No one will know, unless you choose to reveal it to them.  The doctor you are going to see is bound by confidentiality agreements to not even reveal you were his patient.

In addition, when you fill out your college application they do have a health section, and it goes to the health clinic, and has no bearing on your chances of getting into college.

The only way it may effect you is by getting insurance.  They have what they call a look back period.  That means if you have been treated in the last several months (the insurance company sets that time frame), you will be unable to get coverage for that illness for approx. 1 year.

Go see the doctor and get treated.