Bipolar Disorder & Extreme Moods / Question
Published: November 14, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I often feel very down in school. I get very sad and frusterated with myself as well as others. However, within 5 or more minutes I can be very jittery, hyper, not able to sit still, and lacking concentration. I get headaches very often. These highs and lows during my day happen all of the time. If I were asked how my day was i probably would not be able to answer because i feel different every moment. I cannot concentrate on one assignment, I space out, I can't focus, and i get distracted and off track very easily. I often worry and want to hide my face because I'm so down on myself. I don't do very well in school. Could I be experiencing depression? Should I see a doctor because my mom says she does not see this in me. She says that she had never known me to have "extreme highs and lows". I don't know what to do about this. Please help me.
Signed: Extreme Highs & Lows
Dear Extreme Highs & Lows,
TeenHealthFX imagines that it must be very confusing and stressful to be on this roller coaster of emotions without knowing what is going on. It is easy to get down on yourself when you feel like you have no control over the way you feel. Just because your mom does not see it, does not mean that what you are experiencing is not real. Very often people conceal what is happening inside of them from the outside world. Usually it is not deliberate, but rather a pattern of responding we get used too. Have you ever automatically responded "fine" when asked, "how's it going?" Talk to your mother again and let her know that while it may not show, you have really been struggling and feel that you would benefit from some help. Once aware of your true feelings, your mom will probably want to be as supportive as possible.
TeenHealthFX can not say what has been causing this emotional upheaval or whether or not it is related to depression. The best thing to do would be to contact your doctor and let him/her know what has been going on with you. Your doctor may run some tests to see if there is a medical condition affecting your mood or a least rule it out as a possibility. If your doctor does not find anything medically wrong then he/she most likely will refer you to a psychiatrist or a therapist who will be able to determine if depression or some other disorder is causing your condition. The most important thing to remember is that there is help out there and you do not have to struggle this way.
If you live in northern New Jersey and would like to meet with doctor from the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health you can call 973-971-6475 for an appointment.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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