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[Angle]

I think I might be bipolar. I've had a history of ups and downs(Usually downs, or ups that don't help me accomplish much) and even been in for psychiatric review and been diagnosed, but that was when I was much younger and didn't really trust anyone, so I didn't take the medicine and lied until they stopped bothering(which was depressingly easy). Right now, however, I've been getting depressed again and it's causing me some trouble. Should I ask to see a psychiatrist and receive medication? I really don't want to, I'd much rather not talk about any of this except anonymously, but it might be necessary. Any thoughts? Can you give me some perspective? Are there any other options that I might want to seek out?

[Levi]

There is no shame it taking medication.  One of my best friends was bi-polar for years and she's much happier now that she is on some.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

You sound like you're doing alright enough to me.

[Angle]

I'm not as badly off as some, but it is a problem. There are things I want to do, and I'm having a hard time with it because I keep getting depressed and losing interest.

[Deadmeat1471]

From what I understand, Bi-Polar is a physiological disorder? so taking drugs for it is basicly taking drugs to have a normal life. Theres nothing wrong with that at all and I think if you feel you need it, do it! You shouldn't prevent yourself having a full life for any reason at all.
I think you should be honest to the shrink though, don't overstate it and don't hide the problems; be totally honest and see what they have to offer. You may not even need medication.

[Stargrasper]

I would advise seeing your regular doctor first.  If nothing else, your doctor can refer you.  Don't ask for drugs, but don't be too resistant if doctors want to give you some.  If a psychiatrist feels you need it, he or she should be willing to explain why.

[Shadowgandor]

How old are you? Puberty can cause a lot of these problems as well and can fix itself in time

[Angle]

I recently turned 18. Seeing my doctor would be awfully difficult- I was going to see if my counselor could refer me to a doctor.

[Stargrasper]

I recently turned 18. Seeing my doctor would be awfully difficult- I was going to see if my counselor could refer me to a doctor.

Seeing your own doctor would be ideal, but sometimes life doesn't allow for the ideal.  Go ahead and talk with your counselor.  It's distinctly possible that person can directly help, but if not, that person should certainly be able to tell you who can.

[Bouchart]

All sorts of things can affect your mood.  You might want to review some mundane things such as diet, sleeping habits, the amount of exercise, fresh air and sunlight you are getting, etc.

Not to mention the fact that you are young, your life is changing rapidly and there are plenty of entirely ordinary events in your life that affect your mood.

[Angle]

I talked to my mom, and she said she'd set up an appointment.

[Vector]

If you're 18, unless you're actively going through suicide attempts, I'd lay off the drugs and therapy.

I say this as someone who semi-officially went crazy.  If you're just having ups and downs and suffering once in a while, spend a couple of years trying to learn how to address the problem on your own--builds character, good for you, will make you into a better person, etc.  If the problem is intractable after that, go nuts with the drugs and counselors.  Do whatever you have to.  But I wouldn't try them as a first option.

(Please take with a grain of salt.  I realize that my viewpoint is a bit weird in general)

[Sirus]

I disagree with Vector to a certain degree. I think you should at least look into a preliminary visit with a psychologist, and maybe a normal physician if you can. Be honest with them and say that you're trying to figure out if you're bi-polar or just going through some stress. It may well be that you just need more sleep or something, but if it's determined that you do have a problem and drugs might be able to help, by all means get them. I know I was certainly less depressed when I was on medication.

[Vector]

That's a good point.

Be careful, though.  I was going to end up on meds because life had fucked me up to the point where I couldn't talk about my problems and refused to display/discuss emotions, so I looked like a person with generally normal circumstances and massive hilarious moodswings along with a really weird flat affect.  I ended up having to fix myself because there was no way, at that point, that I was ever going to trust the psychologist to the point of being able to talk to them.

(Also, the therapist, like many other people, enraged me because she spent way too much time talking about how smart I was and way too little time asking incisive questions that would have made me give up the goods.  I'm a very petulant and irritable person >_>)

So basically, just... be careful.  I'm not trying to say you're anything like me, but I wish I'd had a me I trusted to talk to me about this stuff before I went in, or before it got so danged bad.  Your circumstances probably aren't mine, but I figured I'd better try to cover the bases.

[chaoticag]

I am also going to have to go with seeing a psychologist, at least to start off with. I wouldn't bring up the fact that you've been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder just yet, not unless they ask and it's on your medical history, but tell them you didn't take the medication but said you did if it comes up.

It does sound like it's something you ought to do, given that you've previously had that problem, and talking it over might let you at least understand what's happening, and if there are any alternatives, you can talk them out and see what they think.