Ask Julie: Is this Depression, Personality Disorder, or Bipolar?

[dropcap]Q:[/dropcap] Well I'm 19, but I don't feel 19. I have so many things going on in my life that it’s hard to keep up with everything. I’m a full time worker, a full time student and a part time gym rat. I’m also in a relationship. There is no time in the day for me to do anything and everything I do always feels rushed. Even though I'm interacting with my coworkers, friends, or girlfriend during the day, I feel empty and numb to it all, like everything is just an act. As far as feelings go, like I said, I'm numb. I feel as if my best friend or mother could die and I wouldn't care, and I feel as though to a certain extent that I don't care even for my girlfriend. But on the flip side, I don't want to be alone. It scares me to think that me and my girlfriend would breakup. I laugh and joke but don't know why I do.
I really want to know what's wrong with me because I was never like this before. Or if I was, it was deep down and is now just surfacing and I can't handle it. I WANT TO BE HAPPY AGAIN.

[dropcap]A: [/dropcap]There are normal ups and downs that come along with adolescence, such as mood swings and hormonal changes. But what you’re describing sounds like a lot more than that. Please watch the video below for my complete response.Take Good Care of Yourself,Julie Hanks, LCSW