What should i ask?

[AngryAt14]

Hi, I'm 15 and i know that most teenagers have mood swings because of hormones, but i think mine are more severe. I've been to a therapist and my mom pulled me out before i could ask if something was wrong with me.

I have periods of being extremely hyper and "annoying" as most people who know me would call me. I am also extremely angry to the point of wanting to fight alot, and not caring about anyone else, punching holes in my wall, knocking things over and even hurting myself.I can be depressed and hate every part of every day and wanting it all to stop. My moods vary over time, and are getting more uncontrollable. My dad acts the same way and one day i wrote a story including certain incidents for my english class, and my teacher suggested that we might have Bipolar Disorder.

I dont know what to do, or what is wrong and i just need to know, should i ask a therapist or something, and if so what should i say? If you have any suggestions as to what is wrong with me could you also help?

[lindahand]

It is really hard sometimes in a dysfunctional family to get the help you need. My parents pulled me out of therapy because they didn't like the counsellor but never got me to see someone else. I think they were scared of what the therapist would think of them. Either that or they thought it wasn't worth the money or effort. I prefer the fist explanation but the second one is more likely. It was strongly suggested I go to counselling after I submitted some real poems in an English class - dumb dumb dumb - I should have handed in mindless drivel.

I think the idea of going to the school counsellor is a good one. There are specially trained school psychiatrists that can come in and do an evaluation (at least there are some in Canada). The other place to go is your family doctor.

The best person to make a diagnosis is a psychiatrist because they have the training and can provide medications if needed. A therapist can't suggest medications that may help with the anger and mood swings.

Good luck. I hope you can get some help. Because bipolar or not something is going on and you don't want it to consume you. You are very wise to want help and I hope you give yourself credit for that. It is the sign of a really strong person who will be able to manage their illness with some support.

[ILADVOCATE]

  Extreme anger can be a part of bipolar and other psychiatric disabilities. Having some difficulties relating to others can occur during mood swings for some people. It would be very worthwhile to speak to a therapist and then they could decide if a further referral is needed. If your mother is resistant to this idea then you could speak to a guidance counselor and they could then help you find a referral. Whoever you are seeing could then help with family therapy and they could speak to your mother to educate her about your needs and your father if they believe he needs help as well.