my psychiatrist and i sat down with my dad today and told him ive shown signs of bipolar disorder for weeks. it was a hugely tense situation, one i dont want to go through anymore ever. anyway, she gave my dad a name of this specialist that deals with mainly teens and diagnosing them with bipolar disorder cause she thought my dad may want a second opinion. it's pretty clear that in the end bipolar is the likely diagnosis..and im utterly terrified...i guess i could just use a bit of positive light to it all cause i think me and most other people really see it as something really bad?...im tracking my moods on a mood chart..im just scared i guess and confused and all flustered..

Please make sure you get a second opinion and even a third if possible. Go to different doctors and psychologists that have different 'styles' and see what they think.

If you have bipolar it needs to be treated. If you don't - treatment could be detrimental to your life, being labeled bipolar when you're not would be a horrible thing to go through.

Take your time. If you feel you're going to harm yourself or others go to the hospital right away (easier said then done :P) Don't make up your mind whether you have bipolar or not - try not to think about it too much that's the doctors job.

Not trying to scare you just want you to be careful.

It's not a bad thing. Lots of great people have had bipolar! It doesn't change the person you are.

Focus on the positives: you're well on your way to getting help. And don't worry about what people may think: in the end most people don't even have to know you're bipolar. All mental illnesses have their stigma, so just ignore it and focus on you.

I was really scared to. I still am sometimes. I have only had one doctors opinion. And my counselors. (Getting a new on of each in the next couple of weeks)

I get scared at thinking I am going to have this the rest of my life and that from what I have read it only gets worse.

My counselor once told me that lots of famous people have it. People you wouldn't even think. (I think Donald Trump, but that could very well be made up)

Point is, that it's treatable. And it doesn't have to get that bad. I think I am mostly saying this to myself now...

Anywho, good luck and seek out as many opinions as you feel you need. We are here for you

Perhaps try looking at being diagnosed as bipolar in a different way: Consider yourself lucky to be diagnosed now, as a teenager, rather than later. My bipolar began in 5th grade, hit full force, the summer after high school. I started having psychotic episodes at the age of 18. I was never hospitalized because my psychoses are usually secret, weird and don't harm others. However, do not for a second beleive that I was functional. I'm 31 now and was diagnosed at the age of 30. The only way I managed to survive as long as I did was by doing lots of illegal things and making a huge mess of my life. Despite being in the top of my class in high school (#3) and making dean's list at an Ivy League university, I never finished college, never have done many of the things that I am intellectually capable of doing, etc. My life has been a complete mess, not to mention all that I and others around me have suffered. Things may be rough now, but you're saving yourself years of suffering and will accomplish a lot more than you would were you to continue living as I did, undiagnosed and unmedicated.

so true, if you know now you've much less to fear, because your demons will have a name and you will know how to tame them!I am not bipolar but I have a pretty scary pd and I was diagnosed at 35, after years of frightening and self-destructive stuff. if i'd only known, I could have taken better care of myself, my life'd be way better.

thanks everyone...i really appreciate everything you have all told me..my psych told my dad the same thing too, that its better to look at it and realize it now then later in life when it could become a lot worse...the second opinion specialist is someone who concentrates a lot more on bipolar in teens rather then adults so i guess thats more helpful cause i think my dad thinks im gonna be running into the streets and stuff when i do manage to contain myself in certain environments..and my psych did lower the medication i am on now cause she doesnt want it to instigate any big episode i cant manage to control...thanks everyone..i really dont know what i would feel like if it werent for this site where i can come and feel completely in place and nobody is judgemental..

Thanks, britbrat. I feel the same way. This site helps a lot-- the knowledge that there are other people going through the same things that I do helps me feel less isolated and alone. Hang in there, once you start coming to terms with your diagnosis and getting your meds straightened out, you'll feel a lot better.

Just to add: I was diagnosed at 36 and had years of wasted opportunities to the disease. It is what was meant to be so I try not to dwell on it.

If BP is what is going on you are meant (and blessed) to be aware of and dealing with it. You might try getting one of the many great books out there for you and your parents to have a better understanding of what is going on. Also, you don't have to go around telling everyone so you can take some of that fear (really it's shame, but eventually you will be able to let go of a lot of that as well) off of your plate. You are very brave to be dealing with this at your age. I think you're great for that!