Approching Parents About Bi-Polar Disorder

[Mzor203]

Mods, if you thnk this belongs in Psych, move it please. I, however, don't think it goes there as it this deals more with the parental side of the problem and less with the mental side of it (which I will post in another thread at a later date.)

Anyway, I have to say that there is a possiblity that I am bi-polar. The problem is, I've approached my mom about it before, but she thought there was nothing wrong with me, and pretty much just told me to "stop being morose" because it would affect the mood of others around me. This makes sense to me, and I hate to have a bad influence on people's moods, so basically ever since I've kept it bottled up and put on a permanaent smile which masks what I'm feeling pretty darn well. I can hardly even talk to some of my friends online about it because of this.

Anyway, I've entertained the idea of talking to my mom again, using a more thought out approach in which I provide some more evidence as to why I believe I have this, that I'm serious about it, etc., and the whole point of this thread is to ask: What should I do to avoid a repeat of the last few times I've tried to talk her? That would just kill me (literally?), and if I do end up approaching her about it, I need to get the message in.

Thankies everyone. I'm going to be in noob mode (:P) for a while because I've decided to fix some of the problems I have.

[Θάνατος]

I thought about this since we talked last night about it. Are you able to talk to a school counselor. If you are you maybe you should talk to the counselor and maybe they will have some advice on how to approach your parents.

It is best to get help as soon as you can so you can start getting the treatment. The best treatment is both meds and counseling. You will need both and maybe your parents will need some counseling to help you deal with your diagnosis.

Well I wish you luck here Rex. I hope this has helped some.

[Mzor203]

Since I am homeschooled I really don't have the option of a counselor, and other than that I don't have a way to see another counselor in this town, and I wouldn't even know where to satrt. No, I'm going to need my parents' help in this, which is why I'm just going to do it at some point hopefully. Really what I just need is a way to make a point, and make them realize that this is a serious issue for me.

[Θάνατος]

Well you could get some information off of the Internet and then let you mom see it and tell her you are showing signs of this and ask her is she will at least think of the possibility that you might have something wrong and you need to see a doctor about it.

I actually got really depressed and was close to suicide. I actually called a mental health hotline and got some advice from them and set up my own appointment. They wanted me to come in for observation but I was not going to do that but it all worked out for me in the end. I remember the hospital sending me out papers that I had to fill out and that is how my parents found out.

[byee]

Rex, the real issue here isn't so much convincing them that you're bi polar (which is unknown until you get a proper assessment), but rather that you're chronically unhappy and have some significant symptoms. I think it's best to talk with your folks in a specific way about your unhappiness and the symptoms you have in detail, rather than try to convince them you've got some specific ailment. The former gets your point across in a way that they cannot really argue or disagree with: It's difficult to disagree with someone who claims to be 'really unhappy', and 'cannot sleep more than 'x' hours per day'. Give them the data they need to really appreciate the depths of your unhappiness. It's easier to dispute a self diagnosis like bi polar.

We've talked before about the desirability of you getting some professional help, and I recall that your mom has been resistant. Sometimes it takes a few convos to change someone's perspective, just stay at it, and remember that the goal is to get her to acknowledge that you're 'really unhappy' and need help, not an agreement on a specific diagnosis. Likewise, if you continue to encounter her resistance, you might need to address that directly with her, find out why she's so resistant to acknowledging the valididty of your feelings and at least go for a professional opinion.

These things sometimes take time, prepare yourself to address it daily with her, to follow up on the previous days convo. You're articulate enough to be able to vividly express what's going on for you and the need for intervention. Just be persistent, give them vivid data, and use all those articulate abilities you have to make it difficult for them to deny your experience and get you some help.

let me know how it goes.

[Mzor203]

Ok guys, I can't thank you enough. You guys are the best. Rob, thank you for being there for me, and giving advice. Sam, thank you a thousand times for pushiing me to talk to my mom. I love you. <3

I talked to her today. I just asked her if there was a time we could talk, and I basically just came out and told her, told her that the last yea had been horrible, I was unhappy, and that I thought I suffered from depression, and she listened, and was understanding. And she's going to do some searching around to find someone we can go see to look into things further. :) I am soooo relieved. This is a huge weight off my chest. I feel like things are going to get better.

Again, thank you guys. You've been a big help.

[theOperaGhost]

This is GREAT! I'm so happy for you, Rex. I'm glad so many people were there to push you to tell your mom because it needed to happen. Good luck! :)

[Mzor203]

Why thank you, Jared. I talked to you on MSn, but whatever. :D

*Bumps just for Sam*

[byee]

Well, good for you, Rex! I'm glad it worked out. It took a lot of effort and courage on your part for staying with it and coming up with the right way of saying it to get your mon's attention! I'm glad she was able to finally hear your concern and do the necesary research to get you to someone who will finally make all this go away for you.