little confused here. i dont know if i have depression or not. i am 14. i will be really happy sometimes and then ill think about something and then ill get really sad. my step-dad is bi-polar and i know that that causes mood swings, but he also acts before he thinks, which is also a symptom of bi-polar disorder, but i do not. so i am really confused. i dont know if i need to go see a doctor or something or what to do. i have also thought strongly about suicide or cutting but i have never actually done anything. i guess it could also be stress or peer pressure kinda stuff. please help
-
Dont know
-
People with bipolar are sometimes depressed, and find their whole outlook on life is distorted to look really unhappy and worthless; and sometimes manic, and then they are really happy and energetic but they do stupid things without thinking of the consequences. They have times depressed, and times normal, and times manic, but usually each time is weeks or more long.That doesn't sound like you. You are sensitive and that causes you to have rapid mood swings. That's not uncommon at 14 - perhaps it has something to do with the hormone levels becoming so much higher, or perhaps it has something to do with being thrown into more stressful school and social responsibilities. That doesn't mean it's nothing, though - feeling as bad as you do is serious. I think it's important to keep channels of communication open - to have people you talk to about how you feel. That could be a doctor, it could be a counsellor, it could be close friends, it could be people here.If things get worse, or if you get depressed and get stuck there, then you want professional help. But talking about things with anyone does provide useful help, because it helps you see things from a different view, helping you to manage them, and you know you're not alone and you have support.