How Do I Tell My Parents I Need Mental Health Help?
Mental health is something that matters whether you’re seven, seventeen and seventy, and any of those ages can fall victim to a mental illness. Depression, for example, is quite prevalent and undertreated in the elderly.
But if you’re underage, it may be more difficult than just going to your doctor to start the process of getting help for your mental health. It likely means explaining your mental health concerns to your parents; which, quite reasonably, is scary to a young person. (It’s scary to an old person too, but I digress.)
So how do you tell your parents you think you need mental health help?
What Makes You Think You Need Help?
It’s absolutely possible to be underage and need mental health help and it’s absolutely possible that you, as an underage person, might be the one to realize it before your parents. After all, only you know how you are feeling inside.
But it’s important to sit down for a moment and think, logically about why you think you need help. No doubt, you have your reasons, but it’s important to think critically about what they are so that you can communicate them to your parents (and then, later, to a healthcare professional).
Write Down Your Reasons
Now that you’ve got your thoughts straight, write down what you want to say to your parents. I don’t say this because I think you need another piece of homework, I say this because it can be very intimidating and anxiety-causing to talk to your parents and you might forget what you want to say. This happens to everyone. During that all-important conversation the points you want to make just fly out of your head. And take a look at it from your parent’s perspective – if you can’t tell them what’s wrong, how can they help you?
Get Ready to Talk
Now that you’re clear on your part of the conversation, make a plan on when and how to talk to your parents. Hopefully you can find a time when there’s no pressure to be somewhere or do something. Maybe talk to one parent alone if you feel more comfortable with that.
And make sure you have support people to back you up if things don’t go well. Hopefully things will go well and you’ll get what you need from your parents, but if they don’t, friends you can call can make all the difference in the world. Your school counselor might be another resource you can use for support during this time.
Talk to Your Parents
Then it’s time to have the talk. Try to be calm and act rationally, if you can. You might not be able to, and that’s OK too, just do your best.
If you’re really concerned that things will blow up when you talk to your parents, consider writing them a letter and giving it to them with a few hours to digest it before you talk.
Get Help
The goal of talking to your parents is to get help so that is the next step. Keep in mind, your parents might not know what to do – that’s OK, adults aren’t perfect and sometimes we’re as confused as anyone else.
So maybe you can suggest what kind of help you need. Do you need an eating disorder specialist? Do you need inpatient treatment for an addiction? Do you want to talk to a psychologist? Do you think you have a mental illness and should see a doctor? Do you need emergency help because you’re afraid you might hurt yourself?
Any of those things are OK. All kinds of help are out there and whatever you need is what you should ask for. If in doubt, see your family doctor and get a referral from there.
Parents Aren’t Perfect
I probably don’t need to tell you this but parents aren’t perfect and they might not reach out with the love and support you deserve. But remember, you do deserve those things and your parents might just need a bit of time with this new information before they can give them to you.
And please remember that help is always available, no matter what. These helplines can get you started.
You can find Natasha Tracy on Facebook or GooglePlus or @Natasha_Tracy on Twitter.
APA Reference
Tracy, N.
(2012, April 5). How Do I Tell My Parents I Need Mental Health Help?, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, May 5 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2012/04/how-do-i-tell-my-parents-i-need-mental-health-help
Author: Natasha Tracy
umm. just like i dont know how to talk to my parents, i dont know how to start writing here. i turned 19 two days ago. and ive been attempting suicide since i was 17. sooo many fail attempts. i really want to die but firstly im scared of it a little and secondly i thinks thers still hope at the end of the tunnel. im the only child and i get REALLY LONELY in my house. theres nobody to talk to and my parents arent really interested in my life. i had wonderful friends but i showly lost them one by one as i reached Alevels. nobody showed up at my birthday party that i planned recently. im ready to cut off with everyone. feels like ive been left alone in this big quiet world full of backstabbers. ive got a really nice boyfriend who cares for me and supports me too but being with him makes me feel like im cheating on my mother. and with a heavy heart i decide to leave my super caring boyfriends for a mother who doesnt even care for me like he does
Hi I'm 16 and I've been depressed ever since I was around 11-12 and I've hurt myself in many ways over those years (cuts, burns, etc.) and attempted suicide once. I'm not close with my parents and they know about my problems and that I cut and that I attempted but they ignore it and pretend like it didn't happen. I attempted over a year ago and then I thought I got better but the past couple months I've been getting worse and I don't know what to do. I want to get help and see if there's something actually mentally wrong with me but I don't know/want them to be a part of my recovery.
Hi Joelle,
I'm sorry to hear you're depressed and self-harming. I know how hard that is. I was that way at 16, too. I'm also sorry your parents didn't respond in a helpful way.
If you're 16, you can probably see a doctor by yourself, so you may wish to discuss your concerns with a doctor. Also, I recommend you seek out a school counselor for help.
Finally, you can call a helpline for additional support and resource referrals. See here for numbers: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Remember, you don't have to be suicidal to call a helpline.
Good luck. You can get through this.
- Natasha Tracy
M 22 soon turning 23 .....I have been suffering from anxiety from a long time ...I panick often ....at night I hear voices which are not really there and harm myself when I am angry from last two days its getting worst I think negatively and fight and blame others and then I can't stop crying ....I am close to my mom n tried to talk to her but she does not exactly know what to do .I need help or I ll end up my professional and personal life ...pls help
Hi Praneet,
You need to reach out for medical help. You can do this through your family doctor. I suspect you are not in North America so it's difficult to make additional recommendations.
- Natasha Tracy
I am 14 years old and I think that I have a disorder called Skin Pickung Disorder or Dermatillomania. Not many doctors have heard of it and my mum is quite scary. I am scared of my mum and i don’t want to tell her that I have it because last time she said that she didn’t believe me and that it isn’t true. I want to tell her as it is causing visible wounds on my body and scarring. What should I do?
Im 15. And ive been struggling with depression and selfharm. Now also been smoking weed. But it hasnt helped. Self harm getting worse. I still dont know how to tell my parents i need to go to a mental hospital..
Hi Jace,
I'm very sorry you're in this situation and struggling this way. Please know that smoking weed will not help and will possibly make things worse.
Please reach out. If you feel like you can't talk to your parents, talk to a doctor or your school counselor. They may be able to help you talk to your parents.
Also, you can call a helpline any time. Please reach out before harming yourself: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Know that things can get better but you need to reach out for help first.
- Natasha Tracy
Uhh hi. I'm 13, nearly 14.
I think I need help, but am still scared to do so even after reading this article.
I think I have Bipolar, and have been experiencing what i think to be quite extreme mood swings for some time. I came to this website today because I just got over a really big mood swing. This mood change made it so I've fallen out with my father and oldest sibling. I blew up. I have no idea where to turn, since my school doesn't have a counsellor. All of my friends either won't listen, won't care, or are experiencing their own mental health issues. I don't know where to turn. Frankly speaking, I've f***ed myself over.
I'm normally quite.. bland. I don't tend to show much emotion. My mood swings come positive AND negative. Sometimes I'm elated and giggly, other times I'm thinking about self harming and I don't know what to do about it.
My dad will flip out if he finds out, because he's really mad and I don't think he really cares about me, but my mum isn't in the country, and I don't live with her anymore. I have a step-mum, but I don't really know her that well, and I think she's just hanging around because my dad and her have their own 3yr old daughter.
I don't know what to do, and I'm so sick of it all.
Hi Bee,
I'm so sorry you're in this position. I know how hard it is to be young and facing mental health challenges.
If possible, pick an adult in your life to tell, even if that person is outside your family. That person may be able to help you talk to your family, as you will likely need their support in order to see a doctor/therapist.
There are also many helplines to call, many specifically for youth. You do not have to be suicidal to call. They can listen to your story and give you suggestions about what to do next: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Please remember that while it's hard right now, help is out there and you can get it even though it may be hard.
- Natasha Tracy
im 20 years old, feel genderless, have tons of mental problems yet have no one to talk with irl, parents are the over religious closed mind strict parents, when i told them about slight problem i have they turned it into religious lecture, can't talk with them about anything cuz it always turn into religious lecture, what to do? i need help, ive need that for like 10/11 years and i no longer can tolerate it anymore
Hi Nameless,
That must be very hard for you. Please know that there are people who want to help. One of those is The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Please call them. They are dedicated to helping young people just like you. They will understand what you're going through.
- Natasha Tracy
Hi my name is anonymous,ever since day one I was this loud ,energetic kid who would never be quiet I experienced an awful lot such as start of yr7 I hanged with messed up girl group who practically controlled whatever I do,it took awhile but I desperately tried getting a way from the girl group I finally did I started having strong mood swings for the past six months feeling hopeless and etc . My mum is a scrict religious mother who. Won't believe a word I say.i want to tell someone and get diagnosis but my friends shut me down and I and cared to tell the school counsellor I want to tell someone please help
Hi Anonymous,
I'm so sorry, that sounds hard.
Please remember, in order to get help, you have to reach out. You have to tell an adult who can help you. I can understand being afraid, but without doing that, you can't get help.
If you're concerned about talking to the school counselor, try talking to a helpline first: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
A helpline cannot diagnose you but they can support you and point you towards resources. Note that you do not have to be suicidal to call.
I know when your parents aren't supportive it's really hard but you can get through this, you have to reach out for help first.
- Natasha Tracy
I’m never quite sure how I feel. I have been having some fall outs with my Mom so I don’t feel like I can talk to her, and my dad is out of the question. I’m 13 and my school doesn’t have any counselors I could talk to about how I have been feeling, well nothing basically. I was trying to explain how I feel, but unless I explain my life story, it wouldn’t really be possible.
Well today I just called my mom and I am 13 as you..And my mom wouldn't believe that i have mental issues..I have Bipolar and Multiple personality..Just try to explain slowly..I'm sure your parents will understand..
Hi im 14 and i smokes weed alot but 5 days ago i smoked some weed and now i feel depressed, feel like everthing is a dream but going mental on it i cant do this anymore but i know my parents are gonne be so mad and pissed beceause i smoked weed i just need mental help
Hi Boiii,
If you're experiencing the aftermath of drugs, you need to get help immediately. I recommend talking to a doctor as soon as possible. You can also look online in your country for a helpline and talk to them about options, they may be of more help.
- Natasha Tracy
I already suffer from depression and anxiety...but I think that I am bipolar too. I have many people even tell me this. I am almost 16 but I don't know how to tell my mom that I think I should be tested.
Hi Anonymous,
I know it's hard to talk to your parents about your mental health, but it's important that you do. You can't get help until you reach out.
What you can do is talk to your school counselor and see if he or she can help. You can also call a helpline and they may be able to support you in talking to your parents: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Finally, you could try to go to a doctor yourself and see what he or she says. That person may be able to do a preliminary assessment and that may help you with your parents.
Good luck. You can do this.
- Natasha Tracy
I have been depressed for maybe a month now, fairly mild but also ive found that i have most symptoms of bpd, and add/adhd
and im a bit stuck because my dad doesnt really understand any of that stuff and im scared he'll get annoyed
Hi Kiddkdkd,
I can understand the fear of what your father might think. That's why I recommend calling a helpline or talking to a school counselor for help in talking to family.
https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Reach out for help and it can get better.
- Natasha Tracy
Hey,I have been to a therapist before and they did say i had anxiety and depression, but that was back in 6th grade (i'm in 8th now), and i stopped seeing her in 7th because i thought i was getting better, and i was, but with recent events (parents splitting up a divorce soon to follow and that we going to soon move to the other side of the country- again!) its been getting worse and worse and I've been talking to the school counselor and she says she thinks i should go see a psychiatrist and get some medication for it but the thing is she said she would call my mother to speak about to, that was 4 weeks ago and i asked her about it she said she was too busy and that i should just tell her but, i'm not sure how she'll react i'm quite sure she knows somethings wrong, but i'm not sure she knows how bad it is...
Hi Kennedy,
I'm sorry you're experiencing anxiety and depression. I know how hard that is.
If I were you, I would book an appointment with your school counselor and use the appointment to phone one of your parents. That way she can't say she doesn't have time.
If that's not possible, then, yes, you may have to tell your parent yourself. If this is the case, you might want to say something like, "You know the anxiety and depression I experienced before? Well, I started feeling better, as you know, but because I've been finding life pretty stressful lately, the symptoms are returning and I need help again, please. How can we make that happen?"
You can continue the conversation from there.
- Natasha Tracy
I was reading through the comments and on some you said to talk to the school counselor... but my school counselor is my mom and I’m scared to talk to me parents and admit that I might need help. What should I do?
Hi Victoria,
I'm sorry that's not an option for you. You may wish to call a helpline: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Those people are there to help, too.
- Natasha Tracy
Um.. Hi.. I turned fourteen just over a month ago.... I’m really worried that I have some kind of issue though, because I can’t even bring myself to answer my name on the register at school anymore.... Since I joined secondary school, I feel like I’ve been getting worse at so many simple things... I used to be shy when I was younger, but now I can barely talk to anyone other than my friends and family... It’s getting really hard lately since one of my friends has been ill since December and no one has seen or heard from her other than her family and school... I find myself happy sometimes and then I’ll just think about something going on in my life for a second and I’ll suddenly just feel sad......
My parents are also having a divorce so I’m really stressed out at the moment.... Even just over little things... To put this into context, K like to get to school ridiculously early because I panic that I’m going to be late if I don’t arrive at least 20 minutes before the gates close.. I was walking last week and I was running one minute behind the time I like to set myself for leaving (not that my parents really agree with it because they no it is too early)... But, I was trying to put my shoe on and it wouldn’t go on... I got so stressed, panicked and angry that I ended up flinging the shoe at the ceiling and nearly hitting my Mum and my dog.... I felt so terrible I tried to leave straight away after getting my shoe, crying by this point.... I was stopped and made to calm down so I could leave.... I was really down when I got to school and my teacher for first period noticed and started asking me questions.... There are only a few teachers I feel confident quietly talking to at school, so I ask allowed to see one of them after lesson... I told them about my parents... But not really about how I feel..... I don’t feel like I can tell anyone that I’m worried about myself because I’m scared and I don’t want to upset them...... I just don’t know what to do anymore and i don’t want it getting worse because I’m worried now.........
Hi Charlotte,
I can understand wanting to keep difficult feelings to yourself. This is something that many, many people feel. But what you have to know is that if you don't talk to anyone, no one can help you and things can't get better. In my experience, these things do get worse if you don't address them and that's the last thing you want.
Please find an adult to talk to -- whoever makes sense for you, counselor, teacher, parent, etc. Even a helpline. https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Only reaching out can make this better but remember, it _can_ get better.
- Natasha Tracy
I’m 16 and I have like theese moments where I’m so happy and I feel like I can do anything and then the next I’m in my bed crying and don’t want to get up and I don’t know what to do and I don’t know what is wrong with me.. my mom is bipolar and I think maybe I am too but I’m scared to talk to her about it cuz it’s really hard for her and I don’t want to upset her
Hi Makayla,
I'm sorry you are in that situation. You're right, it can be very hard to talk to parents -- but you do need to talk to an adult. If it can't be your mom right now, then try a school counselor or a helpline right now: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
They may be able to support you in talking to your parents.
Your parents do have to know because you need help. You need to know why you are feeling this way. Whether you have bipolar or not, you need to find out.\
Remember, if you don't reach out to an adult, nothing can get better.
- Natasha Tracy
Hey Natasha! Wow, that’s also my mother’s name. Speaking of which, I strongly believe that I indeed had Bipolar Depression and it’s because of my parents, mostly my mother. I’m not sure what to do anymore. It’s been years since I got myself diagnosed secretly with a friend of a friend’s parent, but life at home keeps getting worse. My mom doesn’t accept me for identifying as Non-Binary because I was born a girl and she doesn’t notice when I have Manic attacks. She and my dad try their best to spend time with myself and my two sisters, but I’ve, to keep them from worrying about me, detached myself from them. Some people have noticed me becoming Anti-Social, but all they do is acknowledge it and forget. I feel alone and scared and having Bipolar Depression just makes me want to kill my self, which I have attempted before but failed all without my parents knowing. If you have any advice for an Agender 13 year old who, by the way, cannot talk to a school counselor because the counselor isn’t trained to handle situations like this, then I’m all ears, Natasha.
Thank you for the support I’ve seen you give others,
- Alexis
Alexis,
That sounds very hard. It sounds like you have several challenges ahead of you. I want you to know that you can overcome these challenges and it does get better.
I would recommend you contact the Trevor Project and they are dedicated to helping people just like you: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
You are not alone.
While I am just an Internet person, I stand with you. And the Trevor Project will stand with you, too.
- Natasha Tracy
i'm pretty sure i have depression but i definitely had social anxiety or an anxiety disorder, and well i'm tired of it and i want help. but im only 13 and have known since i was 12 and im so scared , think i have just half to be strong and tell them. I cant tell them about the depression im to weak but i know i can tell them about the anxiety, im lucky that my parents care about me so its very likely i can get help. i just dont know how much one cost, i saw one for 40$ then one for 120$ i may half to give up piano practice to afford this im ok with that. Its just im really scared only being 13, im worried about the cost and my parents blaming them self's. (its not there fault)
-this has been really helpful thank you can you please message/comment me back.
im just sssccccaaaarrrreeeeddddddd and i think i just need to talk my school counselor and then be strong and tell my parents/mom.
Hi Alliyah,
I can understand why you would be scared of the cost, but you need to let your parents worry about that. There are many options for help and I'm sure they can find one that is right for you. At 13, you can't take responsibility for the payment, but you can take responsibility for being honest.
Please open up to your parents.
- Natasha Tracy
Hi, I’m thirteen and I have many symptoms of depression. I wouldn’t want to say that I have it because I can’t diagnose myself, but I often have thoughts about suicide. I’ve never tried to commit suicide because I know my mom loves me and I know my siblings do too but something is wrong and I can’t pinpoint what. I’ve written down lists on the least painful ways to commit suicide and have had thoughts on how to perform it but what’s stopping me the most isn’t the fact that I know a part of my family loves me, it’s because I’m a wimp who’s scared of pain. I’ve gained a lot of weight the last 6 months too (about 35 lbs/16k) because I’ve just been stuffing myself with snacks and unhealthy condiments. I’ve had a hard time in school because I’ve changed schools (which I had too because the school I went to only grades up until the sixth one) and I got about five or six’s Fs because I just can’t handle school or any kind of work related activities. I always had it quite easy in school too and therefore I never did homework and just like that I now don’t know how to study, which hasn’t helped. My dad and my mom broke up when I was about three years old so I don’t really remember it but I do know that my dad was, and still is, abusive. Back then he was physically abusive but now he’s verbally so. I started living with him (my siblings did too, they’re sixteen and nineteen) biweekly and it’s hell. I HAVE to compliment his food and tell him about how he’s so freaking perfect. I think he could have some sort of narcissistic disorder. He gets angry when I don’t laugh at his jokes or when I tell him that his disgusting food is just fine (because it HAS to be perfect). His food isn’t bad because he doesn’t know how to cook, that’s actually the only thing he’s good at, but because HE made it. By the way, even my own mom told me that she has never EVER heard him say sorry and they were together for about 20 years. I don’t know, I’m ranting and I know I need help, it’s only a matter of time until my new friends discover that I may not be as happy and confident as I seem to be.
(I’m sorry if my English is a bit screwed here, I’m from Sweden so English is not my native language)
Hi Izabella,
Thank you for reaching out to me.
Any time a person is considering suicide (and certainly making lists of ways to die is serious), they need help. You need help. Talk to your parents. Tell them that you need to see someone.
Or call a hotline. You don't have to be suicidal to call. There are worldwide hotline numbers here: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html (I'm assuming you're not in the US.)
Please reach out to an adult you trust. You want things to get better and that can only happen with help.
- Natasha Tracy
Hey, I'm a 13 year old female. I think that I need mental health but I don't know what kind. I am extremely overweight and I have a lot of problems dieting. I absolutely, positively hate my body. I joke about it so they don't know it's too serious. I've talked to them about it before but they just told me I was beautiful and not to worry about it. I didn't believe them. I think I'm fat and ugly so why don't they. Is what I tell myself. I don't know how to react when people tell me nice things. Another thing is how weird I'll get. One day I'll be like 'I'm happy let's go hang out and talk' and then the next I'll be thinking 'Oh hey I don't feel well' I'll just stay quiet in the corner with my phone. I really don't know what's going on with me. I'll have really weird mood swings from fine to angry really quick. I always beat myself up for feeling like I have some kind of disorder because I have a good life. I have both parents, a house to live in, my own room that I don't have to share, and I am able to over eat. I tried telling my mom about how I feel and she told me I'm just going through puberty and I have a good life so there is nothing wrong. I don't want to try to talk about it again because I'm afraid she'll tell me the same thing. I didn't want to admit this but I've been wanting to cut lately too. I just love what my blood looks like and want to see it more. I will never do it because it would hurt and if my parents found out I'm scared that they would be mad at me and accuse me of wanting attention instead of my cousins who have these problems.
Hi Sarena,
I'm sorry you're feeling that way. It sounds like you need help. If you can't talk to your parents right now, see a school counselor. You can also reach out to a helpline: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
Remember, you don't have to be suicidal to reach out to a helpline.
Your fears are understandable but you still will need to talk to your parents. Reaching out to a counselor or a helpline can help you do this eventually.
- Natasha Tracy
I’m thirteen years old and a female. For about two months I have been see and hearing things that aren’t really there. I have told one friend I trust and she thinks I have schizophrenia but we can’t dianose Me. As well with see and hearing things I also get extreme thoughts that the tv or a movie is sending me a code message for me to save the planet. I want to tell my mum but I don’t think she will understand. As well with that I have lots of symptoms with depression for one thinking of my dead. I told my mum this about a year ago and I don’t think she believed me. I want to tell her but I’m scared she might get mad at me. Please help x
Hi Annie,
It sounds like you definitely need medical help and to get medical help, you will have to talk to your parents. You may wish to talk to a school counselor first and that person can be a support for you when you talk to your mom. Also, you can call a helpline for support and additional ideas on how to talk to your mom: https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-refer…
The fear that she might get mad is real, but when the time comes, you might be surprised at how supportive she'll be. Just be honest and tell her everything -- maybe have your friend there when you do it.
It's great that you're reaching out. You can do this. The sooner you get help the sooner things can get better.
- Natasha Tracy
Hey there. I really feel like adhd symptoms are my case and I want to have a diagnosis by a professional. Im sixteen so I have to tell my parents about it here where i live. Also, i anticipate that my parents will hink that I am kind of crazy to be asking for mental health help, because that is what the case here often where I live. It is thought that people who get mentally checked are crazy/ weird people/ psychopaths. That is not true, and that is making me so crushed. I want your help if you can to give me a way to tell my parents. (I am middle eastern, mental health is viewed negatively)
Hi Mehmet,
Telling your parents that you think you need help is always hard but, yes, cultural issues can make it even harder.
I'm not the best person to ask about cultural issues and working around them. What I would say is that the following resources may help you:
https://www.facebook.com/DubaiAdhdSupportGroup/
https://chmc-dubai.com/adhd/
http://www.timeoutdubai.com/kids/features/37145-adhd-support-in-dubai
http://www.gncdubai.com/adhd-adults/
I recommend you check out the above resources and educate yourself on the illness and the resources around you. Then, when you talk to your parents, you will have facts at hand. You may wish to print some of the information out to give to your parents to help them understand what you're going through. Also, when you talk to your parents, you may wish to write out a script ahead of time so you don't forget everything you want to say. Believe me, it's easy to forget in the moment.
You are not crazy or weird or a psychopath. You're just a person who needs some help.
- Natasha Tracy
Hi, I'm 16 and I think I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, but I notice a lot of things especially with myself. I get super high moments where I talk super fast and am supper happy then a minute later I'm pretty depressed and want to go hide in a corner or have no feelings at all and a blank face. Because of this, I think I'm bipolar. I've also been pretty depressed (not consistently but with ups and downs; I am not depressed all the time or 24/7) since like January of 7th grade and I'm in 10th now. I also get panic attacks, and since I've started high school, I get them a lot more. I've learned how to control them okay, but sometimes I get really bad ones that I can't (also sometimes I think I get small ones but its been going on for so long it seems normal?) I have struggled with friends for years and have been struggling in school too. I am a perfectionist, so everything i turn in, everything I do, has to be perfect. I could get a 100% on an assignment or test and still not be satisfied. I know I have a lot going for me and my whole life to live, but I hate where I am at right now. In addition, I feel tired 24/7 except in one of my hyper moments. I overthink everything. No matter how much sleep I get, I feel tired unless I'm super stressed which I am most of the time lol. I'm sore all over all the time, constantly want to/ feel like I'm going to puke. I want to see a therapist, but they are all at least 2 hours away without traffic, and I wouldn't know how to tell my parents. I'd tell my mom, but I don't really want to tell my dad. He is kinda strict, so I don't know how he'd react. I'm just having a lot of internal and some external trouble. I don't even know If you'll see this but oh well.Oh yeah, with the therapist thing. I researched it and found a lady I think would suit me very well., but she is like 2 hours and 10 minutes away and I can't drive and am super busy, so I don't even know when I'd be able to go. Thank you for hearing me out if you did, and I hope you have a wonderful day.
Hi Lauren,
If you're having that much trouble and are that concerned, you might consider prioritizing getting help over other things. I know you said you're busy, but isn't feeling better more important?
Also, if you talk to your mom, the two of you may be able to come up with a plan on how to handle it.
I understand it's hard to make time to get help, but getting help can make everything better.
- Natasha Tracy
Hi. I'm 14 years old. I think I have an anger disorder. I have been dealing with severe anger issues since I was pretty young. I even saw a therapist type person while in 1st grade. I am homeschooled so I don't have a counselor or any one I can go to. I have had suicidal thoughts. I have also almost run away multiple times. I have symptoms like I have extreme rage episodes where I will get angry over something and I will yell and stomp and hit things. I even used to bite my hands bad. When I get angry or have rage episodes I tend to hide and withdraw myself from people. I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I have episodes because I know it is stupid. I also get really flustered and anxious about little things. I don't know what to do. I am introverted and I'm not good at telling people how I feel. How do I tell my parents? I have taken an online quiz that said my anger levels are really high and I should seek help. I don't want to stress my mom out with it though because I am one of 7 kids and she is already pretty stressed. I have tried to tell her something is wrong but she says it is just teen hormones but it's not because I have dealt with this for years. And I don't want to cause more expenses because our budget is tight already. So I don't know what to do. And if anyone is wondering anger disorders are just as real as any other disorder.
I want to get my mum and dad to take me to see a doctor or therapist but how do I ask them or bring it up? Because I have many symptoms of being bipolar and I get anxious everyday. Please help me
Hi Charlotte,
Have you taken the steps outlined in the article?
- Natasha Tracy