Bipolar Disorder Forum - Bipolar Teen Dropout Needs Advice!

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Q: Bipolar Teen Dropout Needs Advice!

asked by: paperbag on April 15th, 2007

New User

I'm 14 years old and I've recently been diagnosed as Bipolar. Before that I suffered from panic disorder and stopped going to school because I would have severe panic attacks and anxiety over going to my school.
Its been 3 months. I've been perscribed Prozac by my pyschiatrist and it doens't seem to do any good. I've been getting very angry lately. I throw things, I tear up my room, spray paint my house, I yell and I overrate and I can't even control it. And after that, I seem to cut myself a lot lately.

But what I'm really needing advice for is the schooling part. I've been out of school for 3 months and I have a tutor that comes to my house, but I'm not caught up and I'm so scared to go back, even though every one in my family is telling me to go back, that I need to go back and I just can't! I'm so terrified of being harrassed at the school I left and even when I think about it I freak out. I try to ask family or friends and no one can give me any advice about what to do. They just tell me that I got myself into this hole and I have to dig myself out of it. I don't think that I can mentally handle it, but I'm on the line of failing the 9th grade and I'm so confused whether this will ruin my future and my education.

Replies(4)

Akkette

replied on April 17th, 2007

Experienced User

Being scared is definately understandable but the key with depression is keeping youself busy and thats when school can help. If you are scared of going back is it possible to change schools where no one will know you and what you are going through. Be like starting afresh. A school councellor might also be able to help you with coping and how you can do that. If you are worried about falling behind still keep your tutor even when you do return to school. A few night a week to give you that extra support you need.

Good Luck

Natalie

speechiegal

replied on April 17th, 2007

New User

Going Back to School

Take your time. Perahaps you can finish this year with the tutors and start fresh in the Fall. You can get a 504 Plan written that will allow you to get the accommodations you need to be a success in school. Talk to your special ed person. You don't need to go to special ed classes, but if it would help to start later -- say 2nd or 3rd hour -- you could begin school later in the day, get to go to the counselors when you need a break, get longer time on assignments, whatever you need to succeed. I urge you to get your parents to get help from the school. My son was just diagnosed (he's in 11th grade).

Best of luck. You CAN make this work.

debbie

ShishBoomBaah

replied on January 5th, 2009

New User

If you are bipolar...

You should not be taking anti-depressants alone. I am bipolar and my primary care physician prescribed me Cymbalta. When I began the Cymbalta, things were wonderful--it really cured my depression. After about a month of taking this, I was never depressed, but I was often in the manic state. After a failed suicide attempt, I ended up in the psych ward under 72 hour psychiatric review. The psychiatrist told me that a bipolar person should never take anti-depressants alone. I was then prescribed Seroquel (an anti-psychotic) along with a lower dosage of another anti-depressant. This combination has helped me so much, you don't even know. I recommend that you see another psychiatrist as soon as possible, because I do not want you to end up in the psych ward, or worse, dead.

anon360

replied on January 19th, 2009

New User

uk calling ...

a year or so back i was in a not too dissimilar situation, expelled from schoo, for erratic behavious,a few months before my GCSES (nationwide exams for 16 year -olds) - i managed to pull things together on my own with occasional tutoring and pass withgood grades. with these grades, and through hiding my expulsion i managed to get into one of the top schools in the country. big mistake. i have similar problems coping with demanding stressful situations - all too often getting stuck in a rut - and feeling hopeless about the whole situation. my advice is that you go back to school - tho prehaps its a case of less is more - and a less academic school may provide you with the opportunity to 'be your own boss' , so to speak, and end this situation with greater success.

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