How do I tell my parents I think I have manic depression?

ok. all my friends say I've got really bad pmsy mood swings and agree with me that im probably manic depressive. my dad is, but refuses to admit it and get treatment. I dont want to be put on all kinds of medication because I think its gross, dont want to get depended and be a burden to my parents. I think they are anoyed that I go from anoying, talkative,hyper adhd spaz to not being social at all, depressed,suicidal thoughts. im getting desprate for help but do not like or want attention and am scared that my parents will just dismiss it as me being dramatic and begging for attention. their lives seem to revolve around money and I think wed end up fighting about it. I really want an opinion from someone who doesnt know me because my friends just say its my personality when I bring up the issue with seriousness. im scared and really dont know what to do. please help

Hey. I don't know why people get so touchy about taking medication, I mean its just something to help you feel better. Its the same as someone taking birth control pills for their PMS. ITs actually really good that you are looking into your personality and seeing your faults. maybe you don't have a problem but why don't you see someone about it? You don't want to be dependent or a burden? Well you should look at your hapiness first. My sister had depression and never wanted to take anything. She took it for 2 years, and now she's a much better person. She actually isn't taking it anymore, and doesn't need it either. Who knows, maybe its just a phase, but meds really help. I don't think its weird at all. However, you really need to go see a psychologist or something, they can diagnose you better and help you. I hope you do, and get help. You will totally feel better about it. Gluck

I can relate to not wanting to take medication (have fights with my therapist about not wanting to be dependant on it all the time) , and honestly, if it was anything else I would say go for the therapy and see where that takes you, but the best treatment for bipolar disorder is medication... you dont like living like this, and if it is bipolar, it isnt in your head, it isnt your fault, and you cant help it... maybe medication will...
your friends dont want you to be sick or to have something wrong with you, they think they're helping, but they dont really know what they're talking about... you need to talk to someone who does... see what a dr has to say...

I dont think telling my parents is a good ideia because they have had really bad experiances with shrinks and say they are psycos and try not to deal with them, but I really want to talk to someone who can help me. they arent very supportive of me, they try to avoid talking to me about stuff like pearcings and diying my hair black and purple. if I actually did tell them I dont even know how id approach the subject. any advice??

well. Hmm...that is a really tough situation. I know its hard to tell someone you love about something they feel so strongly against. What about you decide on what you're going to do, meaning if you want to go to a therapist, or self help groups or anything. Research into it, call around and make appointments. Then after you make your appointments, tell them, mom and dad I've decided that I want to work on myself because I want to be happy. This is my decision and I hope you can understand that. This is what I'm going to be doing, starting on this day. Thats all I wanted to say, thanks. I'm sure they will probably be like...huh?? But eventually they just might respect your decision. Plus, you already booked the appointment right? So they can't really say anything. Hope this helps.

im in the same boat as you. my therapist wants me to get a diagnois for possible bipolar disorder and my parents will not let me see a psychiatrist for evaluation because they are so against medication. (dad has had awful experiences with 'shrinks' and stuff in the past just like your parents..) my dad has bipolar disorder but he chooses not to admit it. id go myself for diagnosis but being a minor(17), I have to have legal permission from one of my parents. its hard to deal with the depression and constant fatigue from the ups and downs...I've felt like this for 4 years and it hurts not having support or help from my parents. I just recently got a therapist because my bouts of depression have gotten progressively worse and im literally fearing for my life sometimes. my parents avoided the first few times I brought up being depressed and wanting to talk to someone and it made me feel worse..I ended up literally sending my dad an email straight forward saying I needed to start talking with someone regularly..since they chose to avoid talking to me about it in person..email was the most straight forward way for me as silly as it seems. writing it just felt easier and more comfortable. also..if you have a relative (aunt, cousin,etc..) that your close with dont be afraid to talk to them and have them talk to your parents... parents seem to be a lot more judgemental in these situations and 'see what they want to see' rather than what the reality may be.. sometimes it just takes another authority figure to step in and make things happen..I dno if that helps at all, but I hope you can at least take some comfort in knowing youre not alone.