Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Introduction

JennKay
JennKay

Hello, My name is Jennie. I was diagnosed bipolar 1 when i was 7 years old. I fought my diagnosis well into my young adulthood, thinking it had to be a misdiagnosis as i was too young, but i recently moved 300 miles away from my hometown and I started swinging hard, up down, side to side, and my medication isnt seeming to be able to control it. I feel so alone. My mother is bipolar as well and she is spiraling as shes watching me spiral. I dont know what to do. I have no access to mental health professional help right now, but I cant get back in control of it.

tommymott
tommymott
Hi, and welcome. I think it's normal to doubt the diagnosis but we often lose a lot of beneficial treatment time in doing that. Like so many things it's a learning process. I think BP is partly nurture (physical, hereditary) and environmental in that we are affected by life stresses like moving or a death in the family. We do well to learn how to deal with all these aspects. In my experience a doctor who is a General Practicioner will often be of great help, equal to or better than a specialist in psychiatric medicine. Can you give that a try? I wish you success.
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
I agree that a go can be exponentially helpful. Also don't hesitate to uses a crisis line as often as needed. Who is your support network?
MoobbusT
MoobbusT
Its really important to work to a plan, one step at a time. When I get confused about my situation I cope by first making a list of options for help as well as the things I need to get done. Then I'll start at what seems to need the most attention, if that won't budge I try the next thing. One foot in front of the other like this soon takes up my concentration if I'll let it which is what I was aiming for and I am working to make my life organised and get help in one fell swoop! Hope this helps in some little way. Best of luck... keep us informed if you want caring and support. Thats some of what people round here can do for you :-)
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Welcome to the board Jenn...... Are you seeing a GP?......xo
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
hi, I would get a re-evaluation.

I don't really know how someone could be diagnosed with Bipolar 1 at the age of 7 - there is a scientific view that the brain has not matured structurally enough for bipolar to appear - which is the reason why both it and schizophrenia tend to appear when the brain has matured in the later teens.

The other clue is that you are saying the meds don't work.

I don't know if you have bipolar or not but I'd make sure that is actually the case and if you are then you need a change of meds anyway.
Bfortmforn
Bfortmforn
I'm sorry you're struggling, I know what it's like, I've been in the psychiatry/therapy business since I was 8 y/o and was diagnosed when I was 14, and similarly refused to accept it until this year really, I don't have medication or anything but I just joined this board yesterday and can offer an ear at the very least if you'd like to talk or vent.
Melise
Melise
Hi and welcome. I am sorry that both you and your mom are struggling. Mental illness is a family illness for me, too. Hugs and well wishes for strength, peace, and support.
MayB
MayB
HI JennKay,

Welcome to this board at DS it's a good place to check in and get support...

I'm sorry you don't have a mental health practioner...it goes that way sometimes. Do you have a support system, friends, relatives ( outside of you Mom)?

Welcome and I hope you can glean some good things from here...
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