Just found this post. As a use-to-be 17yo I do understand where you're coming from. But as a mother I understand her point a whole lot better. I know it drives you crazy now, but you will forever be her little girl. That's really not a bad thing. Believe or not, probably not, but one day you will cherish the fact that she still feels this way about you. Once a mother, always a mother.
You are really smart so I want you to put yourself in her place for a little while and think about how hard it has been on her to see this beautiful child that she cherishes more than anything in the world go through everything I am sure you have been through. And then be the person who promised to protect this precious being from all harm have to sit back and know that the only thing she can do is turn her child over to drs and medicines to try and get her better.
Read a couple of posts earlier about what our families go through dealing with us and our bipolar lives. It is much harder on them almost than it is on us. Because they feel so entirely helpless.
Take what your mother is doing for you as the greatest love a person can ever feel. You will not really understand this until you are a mother, but there is no greater love on this earth than from a mother to her child. She will live to protect you until the day she dies. Just the way it is. She is not trying to make you feel like a nothing, she is just trying to protect you because you are eternally her baby. =)
Maybe sit down and talk with her and tell her you appreciate the help but that when she does it by phone when you are not in the room it feels like she's going behind your back and that she is treating you like a child.
That way it shows that you are maturing. Suggest that when she is concerned about an issue that perhaps she points it out to you first. I know that if you are in a phase (manic/depressed) you will probably deny. Try to keep that in mind. Then the BOTH of you go to the Dr / therapist.
I don't know just throwing out suggestions. Easy to talk, hard to live it.
Good Luck
As DLA said you are her "baby" just as she is to her mother, and your children will be to you one day.
Wow, that was good advice crzychick gave you. Sounds like it would be worth a good try.
Dac
All I have to add on to those wonderful ladies advice, is I feel incapable with having BP at the age of 33. I was diagnosed later in life, due to my manic symptoms coming on much slower over the past 8 years. This illness is very controlling. Be thankful you do have a mother that cares so deeply to try and help you. However, I totally agree with crzychicks statement. Let her know how you feel and that you want to work together to find the best care for you. Take care.