Is this Hormones or a Form of Depression?

by Molly
(Dorset, England)

I am 15 currently in the last year of secondary school. For the last 2 years or so I have been having extreme mood swings that don't really make sense.

For 3-4 days I can be extremely happy, confident, and excited. I find school easier. I'm very
creative and come up with loads of ideas etc. And I'm overly happy and irritating - my friends have said.

Whereas othertimes I'm in a really low place for no reason, I feel I want to cry excessively but I have no reason to. I'm irritable and angry and sometimes can't motivate to get out of bed let alone go out.

This normally goes on for s few days to a week. Then inbetween these stages I'm fine...I guess normal. This mood swings have been getting worse in the last 6 months and I feel I'm ruining a lot of realtionships.

Through my constant changing mood. I did 3 depression tests and they all say that I probably have cyclothymia? A mild form of bipolar that
is apprently quite common in young people. I just wandered what would people recommend.. Sorry this goes on so long but would REALLY appreciate some advice/help. Thanks.

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Molly,

First and foremost, I am terribly sorry for the delayed response. Holiday preparation has my schedule completely out of whack!

As I read your submission the first thing that came to my mind was Bipolar Disorder. This is also known as manic depression. It manifests as mood swings much to what you have described. Really happy and high on life then down in the dumps. While this type of depression carries a stigma with it, it's important to know that this is very treatable!

I have a friend of mine who has experienced this first hand and built her own website that is packed with information you will find useful. Her site is Bipolar-Lives.com.

I commend you for reaching out for answers. This is something that is successfully treated once diagnosed. I encourage you to reach out to local mental health professionals that can diagnose you and work with you to develop a treatment plan that will get you well on your way to recovery! Suffice it to say you are not alone. There are many people with manic depression and even famous people with manic depression - all living happy, fulfilling, high functioning lives!

Thanks for reaching out. All the best!

Dana