biploar disorder?

[eiansgirl]

hi there, i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the other day, however my mom keeps raising questions as to how my doc could have diagnosed me within the course of an hour. i checked up on my doctor's creds and he seems clean and good, he was very professional during our visit. i don't want to upset my mom by telling her some of the more grisly details of what's been going on with me (which my boyfriend knows and attests to), but i'm tired of hearing her doubts. she thinks that because i'm not classically manic and running around not sleeping or speaking in foreign accents that i can't be bipolar. again, she doesn't really know the extent of what's been going on with me, but i've gotten to the end of my rope and i just want to get better now. how do i get her to realize she's not god, she doesn't know me like she thinks she does, and that it's okay to allow me to choose a doctor and follow his advice without her on my shoulder?

also, what are your opinions on the safety of lithium? i just started on it, but the laundry lists of side effects and drug interactions seem disheartening.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Most people diagnosed as bipolar never have a manic episode. You only have to tell your mother that you are confident about the doctor and you are going to follow his recommendations..it is not for her to make a diagnosis.  Re lithium, most people tolerate it very well at clinical doses without side effects...try to stay at lowest effective dose.

[eimperati]

they diagnose you with your signs..they only need an hour with you to really figure out whats wrong