It's Really Difficult Being A Manic Teen = [

[Teashop]

I have sever mood swings. None of my friends are aware that I have bi-polar. I found when I was 15 years old and I am about to turn 18 on December 27th. I am taking Lithium and it works for maybe a few days, and even with my taking it regularly, it stops working and I feel very depressed, self contious, and lonely. What do I do? I don't even like being alive anymore.

[Crystlas]

I am glad he is ok and that you guys were there!  Has he tried Prozac?  I know it is one of the Anit-Depressents prescribed for children.  It is a much older med but every effective.  You have to give AD's a chance.  They can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months for the full effect to kick in, depending on the level of depression.  Mine was so deep and I started Wellbutrin end of January.  I am still not feeling the full effects, but tons better.  I remember the first time I used it and felt fabulous, so I know it is on its way!  

[marsha_ann]

Glad you liked the bubble wrap !   I thought it was neat, & fun.  Its crazy what people can make on the web.  I popped several bubble sheets today myself.  

As for Austin, I figure that by the next time we see his doctor ... if he still feels like he's depressed, she'll probably add an anti-depressant to go along with the Trileptal.  He's tried Zoloft before, and it didnt do anything.  Maybe it wasnt a strong enough dose. I dont know.  But she never increased it.  I know there's other anti-depressants she can try with him too.  

He did have an interesting incident this evening.  Austin was climbing a tree ... and got his leg stuck.  Really stuck.  I didnt know about this until it was all over (I was cooking supper).  But my husband, father-in-law, & brother-in-law had to get a rope & the tractor out to free his leg.  They tied the rope to the limb, and pulled the limb down some with the tractor ... until Austin could get his leg free.  Of course, he thought it was funny.  We're just glad that this didnt happen with no adults around.  If he had lost circulation for hours, he probably would've lost his leg.  

[Crystlas]

OMG, I LOVE the bubble wrap link!  I bookmarked for stress relief.  I have this fetish with bubble wrap.  I can not contain myself from popping the bubbles when I see it!!  Hee hee..and it has MANIC MODE!   Thanks (((giggling)))

[Crystlas]

I can hide my depression really well and no one knows that I am feeling awful.  I am pretty good at it and most people were very surprised at my suicide attempt.   At the time, my sister-in-law's mother was put in the hospital and is still in intensive care.  My attempt was in January.  Anyhow, my family asked how come I did not show signs that I was so deeply depressed.  I told them, I hid it from them because I did not want the focus to be taken away from my SIL.  I was told to not worry next time and to tell them.  I hid my depression by doing what I had to do and escaping into my apartment shutting out the world.  So, if he is feeling ucky and having that out-of-it feeling, then he is still having depressed symptoms even if the other ones go away, like hoplessness and feeling sad.  

[marsha_ann]

Well, Austin seems to be doing well on the Trileptal.  He claims that it makes him more depressed (even though he doesnt act depressed at all), and he claims that he cant draw anymore.  He went through a drawing block about a year ago, and got over it.  I'm sure it's the same thing again.  He just wants to blame it on the medicine.  He's still very defiant ...but I know the meds wont fix that.  He doesnt want to take the med anymore, but I'm making sure he does.  I hope the med will start to make him feel better soon, so he'll realize that it does help.  

Oh, just for fun ... I found this website for stress relief.  For those of you who love bubble wrap ... go here & have a blast !!!  
http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf

[Crystlas]

I am sorry this is so frustrating for you.  I am sorry it is causing so much stress.  I do hope they figure out something soon for your son!  Take care.