Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 11/15/2006

Question
I know I'm only 16, and not an expert, but I've always thought something was wrong. Just recently, I've began research online. I mostly feel depressed lately, but I've been getting aggravated easily, and even in bad situations, I feel really good. I have never been a good conversationalist, since I loose track of what I'm saying, and don't even realize that I'd changed the subject into something random. This usually chases people that I just met away. At first, the most of my symptoms fell under schizophrenia, but I later read more on bipolar disorder, and I fall under WAY more than half of the symptoms. My sister (22) just thinks I want to be different and am trying to find something wrong, and any time I mention it to my parents, my mother (who normally has a fake "nice" act) snaps and tells me to "not talk like that". My father tells me nothings wrong (but he could be afraid of having to pay allot of money, it took him 5 years before deciding to have knee surgery, which he needed, and still hasn't took my dog to the vet for over a year now, even though my mom encourages him to). I'm aware I need a true doctor's one-on-one perspective, but I can't. I need help, I've been snapping at my parents and friends for no reason, and absolutely love them the next day, even if they break something of mine. What's your opinion?

Answer
Andy:

You are NOT crazy.  First of all, 16 is a very hard age.  Part of your problems could be growing up, with all the hormonal changes.  However, there is a chance something more is going on.  You have a couple options available.

You didn't say where you are located.  In the US, you are of an age where you have control over your own mental health treatment--you can seek the services of a counselor without parental permission.  However, seeing that your dad is the one who will need to pay, you may want to save that option for the last resort.

If you are in school, I would suggest going to talk with a guidance counselor.  Let the counselor know exactly what your concerns are and ask for recommendations.

If all else fails, go to the nearest hospital ER and ask to talk to a mental health advisor--and they will walk you through what you need to do to get an evaluation.

In an ideal world, your parents would listen.  Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case here.  Try talking with them one more time, preferably together.  If you still do not get their cooperation, then try one of the above steps.

                                  Joyce A. Anthony