Bipolar Disorder & Extreme Moods / Question
Published: October 17, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I want to talk to someone who can help me with my thought. I read your racing thought at bedtime section, but I have some questions. I have the same type of problem. I thought it was just part of life that I have to pull through but I was looking up teen depression for a project and I found a lot of ways it relates to my everyday life. I was thinking that you might be able to help.
Signed: Trying To Pull Through Racing Thoughts
Dear Trying To Pull Through Racing Thoughts,
TeenHealthFX cannot tell you whether you are depressed or not - that diagnosis can only be made by meeting in person with a mental health professional. What we can tell you is that it is not necessary for you to endure unpleasant feelings, because there is help available to you for what ever is troubling you. By doing your school project and reading the website you learned that there are other people who are experiencing problems similar to yours. Sometimes knowing you are not alone or that it is not just you is the first step in making things better.
Tell your mom or dad that you have been struggling. Let them know that you feel like you need to talk to someone. Share some of the things you learned from your school research or show them TeenHealthFX's response to Feeling Down. If they tell you everybody gets down once in awhile, let him or her know that you have tried to get through it on your own but now you would like some help.
If you need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center at Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888.247.1400 for assistance.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
A comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggests that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depressive and anxiety disorders.
