The worries of a parent are a behaviour that cannot be compared with anything else. The same can be said for teenager’s behaviour.


Bipolar disorder is a rather serious condition to be diagnosed without a professional examination that might even take longer than the usual visit to a doctor. Bipolar disorder is a condition in which uncontrollable and non-provoked changes of the mood occur. Depressive episodes and manic episodes change places more or less frequently depending on the subtype.


Although there are studies about the genetic influence in bipolar disorder, it cannot be determined for sure whether your child will have bipolar disorder just because you are affected. In your particular case, you might want to take your child to a psychiatrist for a detailed evaluation to check for bipolar disorder or to eventually distinguish it from teenager behaviour.


Although bipolar disorder was diagnosed in your son in 1999 it might need a revision because he was only 6 years old then, and many things happen and change in a 10 years period.


You might want to talk to him about the importance of both his physical and mental health. Try to treat him as person who is not a child any more, and who has a right to make his own decisions.


Visiting a family doctor first (who might have a certain degree of professional authority in your son’s opinion) might be a better idea than visiting a specialist who is a complete stranger to your son.


In the end, he might agree to do it, only if that makes you “stop bothering him” (I sincerely apologize if this sounded rude, but you might try this approach and trick him into visiting a doctor).