Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 1/12/2010

Question
I'm gonna cut to the chase. Tomorrow i have an appointment with a psychologist because my aunt thinks I'm bipolar. She asked me a bunch of questions and she said i have symptoms, she's a doctor although I'm not sure what kind. Anyways, I get very impatient with practically everything and I tend to punch walls and I even kicked a hole in my door. I've been through alot more then the average 14 year old. Trust me, my brother was burned in Iraq over 85 % of his body and I had to move with my mom to help him. My grandma now has alzheimers or however its spelled. It's really advanced and I'm sorry to say this but I think its so annoying ! She makes me so mad sometimes. Now I'm not sure if its just the stress or what ? But I've been depressed alot lately, I've been getting in trouble in class gotten a couple reffurals because I've gone off on my teachers. Well I've cried in the middle of class and just been sad.  

Answer
Hi Melany:

Without a complete medical history, I can't determine whether it is bipolar disorder or not that you are experiencing.  You do, however, have a problem that could benefit from counseling.  It appears you have anger management problems as well as depression.  Stress may very well be the cause of your issues, but you need to find ways to help cope with that stress--and a psychologist can point you in the correct direction.  I believe your aunt was correct in setting up an appointment.  She obviously cares very much about you and what you are going through.

               Joyce A. Anthony