It's good knowing I'll get better eventually!

"I've always known that my mood swings weren't normal for kids."

I mean sure, everyone has mood swings and hormonal moods. But I knew mine weren't just my hormones. One week I'd be extremely low and contemplating suicide. I didn't see a better life ahead. I had made many attempts to end my life because I was so low.

I'd have my normal days where I could just relax and sleep was normal. I'd focus moderately better and my behaviour was heaps better.

On the other side of the spectrum I'd be energetic beyond that of anyone I knew, I would talk for hours on end and the teachers at school couldn't get a word in edgeways. I'd run around aimlessly and I couldn't sleep. I was in pure euphoria. I'd also get angry extremely easily. Something as small as someone walking a different direction would cause me to throw anger fits and hit walls. Everything I did was on impulse. I'd spend without thought, have sex without thought and speak before I could think. I got expelled from one school, and was on the edge of being expelled from my second.

I finally realised that none of my mood swings were "normal", so I took a big step and talked to my Mum.

Bipolar Disorder ran in her side of the family and she had always seen that trait in me, although she would never say it in case she offended me. I spoke to my local GP who was extremely worried about my condition as I'd been so down and suicidal. He urgently rang a psychiatrist who fit me in straight away. I had two options at that point - go to the psychiatrist or be admitted to hospital. I couldn't stand being in hospital so I reluctantly went to the psychiatrist. He recognized my condition straight away and said I had Bipolar. I was put on medication - I'll be on it for the rest of my life. I want other teens to realise that mental health issues aren't taboo anymore and get the help they need. It's good knowing I'll get better eventually!