how to get tested?

[Thumbbelina]

alright, so bipolar runs on my moms side of the family.
i think i may have it. i live with my father, and he wont allow me to go get checked because he believes "im fine"
i really think i have bipolar!!!
i have mood swings all the time, i could be soooo happy and hyper on minuted, then completely drained and depressed the next.
i get depressed a lot, and i have very sexual urges.
i tried to block off these urges till i was 18, but now im a sex maniac.
i cant seem to get it off my mind.
depression and fatigue are getting the most of me these days though.
any suggestions?

[Thumbbelina]

thank you so much for the advice.
im definately feeling better now that i know people can help, and i will definately use the advice i got.
THANK YOU!!

[Yvette97]

the last thing i wanted to be was "bi-polar" but I always knew there was something not quite right. You have the first inkling of something not being quite right. The next self-check question you can ask is: Does my behavior interfer with relationships?
                                               Do my moods affect my job or have I lost a job?
                                               Do I spend money recklessly and am I in debt?
                                               Do I have unsafe sex?
If you feel as though you would like to be checked out, call your primary care doc first. Tell him/her your concerns and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. If you ever feel like hurting yourself turn your health card over and call the 800 number for mental health services. There are crisis centers that can help you ASAP. Take care of yourself please. It is going to be hard for a parent to accept any illness in their child. Mental illness comes with that special added stigma....you deserve to feel better. I would encourage you to follow your instincts..I wish you well,

[LeftCoastChick]

Here's a good website which could give you a bit of insight and/or prepare you when you go see your doctor, it's just a great website if you have questions before you go:

http://www.helpguide.org/topic_index.htm

[ILADVOCATE]

There is no genetic test yet but what you are describing does sound like bipolar but only a psychiatrist can make a diagnosis and so its best to speak to a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis and find out more.