If you feel that you are having symptoms that upset the way you like to live your life, it can't hurt to see a doctor about it. If nothing comes of it, nothing comes of it... but... if you really do have a problem, say, bipolar disorder, it's worth seeing a doc about it... and not a family physician--a psychiatrist (though the first step would be to see a psychologist, who may then recommend you to a psychiatrist if (s)he thinks meds might be necessary for you). The best tip I can give you is to use meds as a last resort, as they come with all kinds of side effects and complications... and if you do end up getting a prescription, research the medication thoroughly before taking it, but don't let all the talk of the side effects scare you away from trying it... Just because some people have extreme reactions to a certain med doesn't mean you will. Psychiatric medicine is all guess and test. Everyone reacts differently to every drug. But who knows, maybe therapy will be enough and you won't need meds at all. And don't be ashamed to ask for help. We all need it sometimes.

My daughter is 8yrs old. Her mother and I seperated before she was born. I have been a major part of my daughters life since day one. I have visitation friday thru sunday every other week and see her as often as I can in between. I also have her for 2 weeks in summer when on vacation. She has been diagnosed ADHD which she takes Concerta for. My daughters mom has been treated for depression for yrs due to molestation by father when she was young. She also was diagnosed bipolar but I have never witnessed any symtoms of this nor does she take any meds for it. My problem is my daughters mom is a very good mom but lacks in the parenting skills. I have constantly trid to help her as I have 3 grown daughters and have some experience in raising children. She contantly has given in to my daughter from the beginning and now is paying the price for it. When my daughter can't have her own way she throws temper tantrums until she does. I on the other hand do not have these problems with her. Since a very ealy age I instituted the time out process and as she got older the 1-2-3 and you lose a privaledge. She knows dad means what her says and very seldom do I complete a second count on another privaledge. She has tried the behavior she does at her moms, but as soon as I start my counting she stops. I would also like to add that my daughter and I have a very close relationship and she truely enjoys our time together. My problem is her mom has taken her to a doctor and now my daughter has been diagnosed bipolar. She was on Abilify for about a year. We did not like that Dr so stopped going to her. I might be wrong but I did not then nor do I now believe my daughter is bipolar. I just found out that her mom took her to another Dr and now she is taking 20MG of Geodon a day! This scares the hell out of me. I have done some very extensive research on bipolar and I have not seen any symptoms she is. If she is, how can she turn it on and off for each parent? Please any help you can give me on what to do will be greatly appreciated. I love my little girl and do not want her life messed up more than it already is. Thank You