I know that manic depression is a serious illness with well-defined symptoms, but I don't know if I qualify as having manic symptoms or not. I'm 15 years old, have an anxiety disorder (OCD), and am on Zoloft (200 mg). For a long time now (don't know exactly how long...months at least) I've been having a problem that feels like an energy problem. When I'm happy everything seems to be exploding or something to that effect. I feel like I'm on drugs. Even when something little happens I feel oddly jittery sometimes. Every day at school I get period of something like this, where I just suddenly feel like I have WAY too much energy. And then I have terrible thoughts (suicidal, yelling, etc.), which I don't know if they are legitimate or just obsessions. I just feel swept away by this energy rushing when this happens, and it's very unpleasant. I'm not the type to have real low lows, although last week I was so terribly depresed, etc. Sometimes everything feels grey, but it's not as frequent as the energy rush.
Does this sound like something like manic depression? I wonder if it's just puberty, but symptoms like that don't generally last for months at a time, or do they? Please let me know...

Thanks very much,
Travis

I don't know if this will help you any. But there are different states of manic depression. Some people experience more depression and have what they call hypo manic states but it sounds like you experience more of the manic then the depression which is possible. I would go talk to a medical doc. because there is mediciation they can give you to even out your moods. You don't even have to be put on an anti-depressent they could possibly just give you a mood stablizer. Good Luck.

Travis,

No advice from this poster but I must say you seem quite tuned to your emotions and bodily reactions at age 15. You should feel extremely proud for having the coping skills and abilities to deal with your conditions.
Hats off to you Travis and keep your head up!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

Travis, I would definitley talk to your parents and/or a trusted counselor or doctor abuot your feelings. I would also recommend starting a journal each day about the thoughts and feelings you have and at what time of the day they occured. I think if you keep track of how often you are feeling a certain way it could help you talk about it with your doctor. It also seems as if you are well intune with your feelings. That's a great start. I have worked with at risk teens for a while, although I am not in any way saying I am a professional, and I think the key is not to shut your parents out on how you are feeling. I know it's hard being a teen but make sure you communicate with them about your thoughts..even when it seems scarey. I am sure it will all work out! You seem like a smart kid!

Rae

Thanks for both of your compliments!

I'm concerned about the amount of Zoloft you are taking, that would be enough to make you jittery etc. It sounds like you may also need a mood stabilizer or lower your dose of Zoloft. Ask you Doctor about these things especially before you try to adjust your medicines any. You could be Manic Depressive, but again the high dose of Zoloft could be the cause. I take Zoloft along with mood stabilizer, and others for Bi-Polar (rapid cycling) and I take 100mg of Zoloft, and I'm twice your age and probably weight.

Hang in There