General
My sister is always sad. She stayed in bed all weekend and hasn’t eaten a thing. This has been happening a lot. What can I do?
First, you should talk to your sister and let her know you’re worried and that you care about her. The problem is, she may not listen to you or she may get angry because she’s not sure how to cope with the way she’s feeling. This is the right time to talk to your parents or tell a trusted adult that you’re worried. Describe what you’ve noticed so that you can work together to get your sister some help. While it’s not unusual to get down occasionally, if someone keeps feeling down and not wanting to do things like eat or go out, it raises
red flags that there might be more serious problems. By reaching out to your sister and calling on an adult, you are taking the first step to make sure she gets the helps she needs.
How can I be a good friend to someone with a mental illness?
If you have a friend with a mental illness, just knowing that you are there to offer support or lend an ear is a huge help. If you haven’t told your friend yet, be sure to let her know – respectfully and without judgment - that you’re there because you really care. But keep in mind that being a good friend means knowing your limits and sticking to them, for example, by not taking on the role of your friend’s therapist. Friends can’t take the place of mental health professionals, and going overboard, even with the best of intentions, can be damaging to both you and your friend.
As you probably already know, although mental illnesses are common, they are still misunderstood, and
stigma still exists. To help fight this, you should learn as much as you can and speak up if you hear people spreading negative or inaccurate information about mental illness or belittling or bullying people who are sick. Being a good role model at school and in other areas of your life can make a difference.
Bipolar Disorder
If I think I may have bipolar disorder, what should I do?
You never have to handle bipolar disorder alone. This means confiding in a trusted adult about how you are feeling so the adult can help you get treatment. Treatment begins with getting the proper evaluation and diagnosis from a doctor who can perform a physical examination and assess your family history and current symptoms. Mood disorders are usually treated by mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors.
I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Does this mean I’ll have it for the rest of my life?
Scientists are working to find cures for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, but right now there isn’t a cure. This means it is a lifelong condition. But with the right treatment, bipolar disorder can be dealt with and people with the disorder can lead productive and happy lives. Visit the
Mind Zone for more information about bipolar disorder.
If I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, do I have to tell my friends about it?
You should never feel obligated to share your diagnosis with anyone if you don’t feel comfortable talking about it. Who to discuss it with – and how much - is a private and personal decision. That said, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder or another mental illness shouldn’t cause shame or embarrassment. You are never to blame.
Is a teen with bipolar disorder at higher risk for other disorders?
Bipolar disorder in teens is associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.
How common is bipolar disorder?
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you are not alone. Research suggests that about 1% of 14- to 24-year-olds have bipolar disorder.
Why is it important to get treatment for bipolar disorder?
If you have bipolar disorder and you treat it, you can be happier, live longer, and have more meaningful relationships with both friends and family.
Research suggests that early treatment of bipolar disorder can help prevent substance abuse problems. Teens with bipolar disorder sometimes drink or do drugs because they think it will help them to feel better or dull the pain associated with the severe ups and downs of the disorder. Drug or alcohol abuse is never a good idea for any teen, particularly for those with bipolar disorder. One reason is that drugs and alcohol may stop a person’s medication from working properly or may cause a bad reaction when mixed with one’s medication.
For more information on substance abuse, visit Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -
http://www.samhsa.gov.
There is also a connection between bipolar disorder and risk for suicide. This is one of many reasons why it is important for people with bipolar disorder to seek help from a mental health professional. It is also important to remember that just because someone has bipolar disorder does not mean that he is going to kill himself.
An important note about suicide: A teen who is thinking or talking about suicide or who has tried to commit suicide needs help from a mental health professional or doctor. It is a myth that people who talk about suicide won’t actually go through with it. Pay attention to the warning signs so you can get help before it’s too late.
For immediate help, call a doctor or 911 or go to a hospital emergency room. There is also help available 24 hours a day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255),
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
Schizophrenia
Do people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities?
Although this is a common myth, schizophrenia and multiple personalities are not te same thing at all. In multiple personality disorder (which is now usually called dissociative identity disorder), the person with the disorder has, in addition to other symptoms, at least two distinct personalities. On the other hand, with schizophrenia, there are symptoms like delusions and emotional flatness, none of which involve the presence of more than one personality or identity. Visit the Mind Zone to learn more.
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