Is my teenage son depressed or bipolar?
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| Sun, 03-13-2005 - 9:56pm |
Hi,
I'm trying to figure out what is going on with my 16 year old son. He goes through times where he's very edgy and angry, then explodes into angry rages. Today he was in such a rage he threw a rock and broke my car windshield (I wasn't in the car, I was standing in front of his car to keep him from driving away). He is dealing with some really big issues with his dad (we're divorced), who physically abused him last summer and verbally abused him constantly for years before - literally calling him a loser and telling him he was lazy for problems in school. So he's got some real reasons to be upset, but his rage - this out of control is just too much. I happened once before his dad hit him, but it's happened 4-5 times in the last 7 months - today was the worst, but others were close. In beween these rages, he's the kindest, coolest kid. He's the one that says "mom, you look tired, can I get you a cup of tea?"
He's agreed he needs to go to a therapist - I've been trying to get him to go to thereapy for months. He kind of understands that more is going on than just being angry. But I'm trying to get myself informed as possible.
His rages sound like bi-polar - on the lows. But I can't say that I've seen the highs. But I didn't think depression came with these kind of rages. Can bi-polar in teenagers just have the lows?
Any good web sites where I can get more information? Anyone else dealing with a teenager with these kinds of rages?

it really isn't important whether you son is bipolar or not, if the problem gets addressed, and none of us can make that call - that's up to the pdoc. it's great that he's willing to get help.
as far as only having the lows, that would be depression. i associate the rages with mania myself. i can be in a euphoric mania and switch all of a sudden, or more likely, be in a dysphoric mania with rage.
check out www.dbsalliance.org and www.nami.org
amanda
Hi Jane,
I have to agree with Amanda it sound like he needs help whether he's bp or not.
Love,