I have dealt with this for many many years, due to trauma. So for me there is no quick fix. Though for many others, it may not be a quick fix either, as it might take some trial and error if you doctor feels medication would help, or seeing a therapist. You can start to feel better and that would be wonderful.
The whole process, really it’s so simple any one can do it. The hardest part, is telling someone that you are worried something isn’t right, at least that was my case, to tell my parents I was depressed, was so difficult. They didn’t believe me. At that time, depression wasn’t talked about, I don’t even know if it was well known, or people had a name for it, as in normal every day people.
So first you need to tell someone that you are not feeling well, you can ask them to take you to the doctors, if they ask you what’s wrong, you can tell them you are worried you might be bipolar. If that makes you uncomfortable, just say that you haven’t been feeling very well, you don’t really have to get into it, just say, I think I should see a doctor, as something doesn’t seem right, I’m tired, or I’m fatigued, are very vague words. When you get to your Primary Care Doctor, you just ell him, that you are not feeling well, and you think you might have bipolar, he may ask you why you think that, so tell him what is going on. From there he may do a physical, probably some blood work, to check for common things that can make one feel depressed. He can put you on a medication and it is going to take a few you weeks to take effect, it has to build up in your body. Your doctor then can talk to your parents about your concern, and he make a recommendation. It is so common now, that regular doctors give the medication out to there patients all the time. Before that you had to see a Psychiatrist to get your meds, which wasn’t a big deal, but it can take time to get an appointment. If you doctor thinks you have bipolar he will probably start you on medication right away. He may then refer you to a Psychiatrist, who has a better understanding of the medications and mood disorders. I got to tell you, I have the best Psychiatrist there is, he is awesome! So don’t think of it as scary or strange, or that they are weird, as I know some wonderful ones. They will do a more intensive assessment, he will ask a lot of questions, nothing that you need to study for. He will probably ask when it started, and if anything brought it on, about your home life, and friends, and school, about,sleep and your moods. He will be the one that will usually adjust your meds, and try to figure out what med may be best for you. There is no one drug that works for everyone, so you may have to try a few. In the mean time, you may see a counselor or therapist, and that can be a little scary, talking to someone about what going on. I always hated the first time, you usually don’t do much talking, usually more questions to answer. I have had 2 therapist, one past away, he was amazing, like my best friend, we would have a great time talking, we really connected. When he died, I though I will never find another person like him. Well God gave me another one just like him, he is really wonderful, he is very kind, and caring, we talk, we laugh, sometimes we even joke around, it depends on what’s going on in my life. Other times it is more serious; I am very blessed to have them. So the whole process honestly isn’t that bad, nerve racking, maybe a little scary, but after it is done, you will be like, what was I so anxious about. So make sure to reach out to someone, ASAP, how ever you feel comfortable sharing that info with them. If you are having suicidal thoughts, then you really need to tell some one right away, you can’t play around with that. Suicidal thoughts are no fun, and you want to get help for that right away. It’s important that you are safe at all times, that you know that you are loved by your family and friends, and they will still be there for you. It doesn’t change who you are, the medication doesn’t change your personality, you won’t be any different, except you will be happy and not depressed and sad. So many people think the medication will change them, it doesn’t, they are the same person, the meds just balance out the brain chemicals that are out of balance. Once they are back in balance you will feel so much better.
