Bipolar Disorder Forum - possible Bipolar Disorder symptoms ?

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Q: possible Bipolar Disorder symptoms ?

asked by: Lilly Ivy on June 4th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Ever since I was 13, I've had interesting situations that lead me to believe I am bipolar.

I started cutting myself when I was 13. It only lasted a year, but I cut myself once when I was 15. During that time, I attacked my mother enough for her to put me in therapy. It was at the school and only once a week. He somehow got through to me (they didn't know I was cutting myself though) and I got better. I got a boyfriend when I was 15, got engaged, he broke it off two years later. He was married two weeks later, but wasn't cheating on me Rolling Eyes

. I of course cried my eyes out, but surprisingly didn't go back to cutting myself, but thought about it plenty of times though.

Fast forward to now, I have a husband and a 2 month old daughter. No type of therapy since the first and only time. Three days ago, I cried all day. I just felt like someone close to me had died I was so upset, but nothing really triggered it. Then all of a sudden I was happy and even rode my quad for a bit. Then the next day, I was down again, but no crying, just slumped over. And yet again, after a few hours, I was feeling great again. Someone suggest post-partum depression, but I don't understand why I get happy after I'm depressed...

I've never done any type of drug other than for the occasional headache.

Replies(5)

MandMs

replied on June 5th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Did your symptoms occur during the first 2 weeks after the delivery?
Was the onset of the symptoms sudden?
Are you experiencing restlessness and insomnia, too?

antigone

replied on June 5th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Have you considered talking to a professional about this? Sudden shift in mood could be bipolar disorder but there are many other symptoms that accompany the mood shifts. If you have real concern about this it would be a good idea to see a psychiatrist or psychologist who has knowledge of bipolar disorder and have an evaluation done.

Lilly Ivy

replied on June 8th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Thank you for the responses.

the mood change kinda hit me at 7wks after delivery, before that I was pretty much fine. I will occasionally get spurts where I completely clean the house, staying up til 3am (even with a baby), but I've pretty much done that since I can remember (cleaning my room instead of the house when I was little).

Where would I go about finding a psychiatrist? I can't remember exactly how I got into 'counseling' the first time...

antigone

replied on June 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

If you have insurance you can find a list of providers. A psychiatrist is an MD and a psychologist is a therapist. Some people like to start with a therapist and see if they need further intervention with a doctor and medication. I am inclined to think that if there is a mood disorder or depression that medication should be started and then get to a psychologist who can help you with coping skills. It is difficult to learn coping skills when you are not in a stable mental state. Medication can help get you there however, there can be breakthrough symptoms and the coping skills really help to bridge the gap.

I don't know how severe your depression is. If you are not able to cope, feel hopeless, have thoughts of self harm or hurting your baby or feeling overwhelmed and need to run away then I would think seeing a psychiatrist is an excellent idea.
If you see a psychiatrist and he/she does not think you need medication then seeing a therapist is a great option.

I would see what your insurance will cover. This can be costly and you need to take it into consideration.

MandMs

replied on June 16th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Your symptoms are suggestive for postpartum psychosis or bipolar disorder.
For 25% of women who have bipolar disorder, the condition began with a postpartum episode. New mothers who have psychotic episodes and dramatic mood swings are actually experiencing their first bipolar episodes, with the manic-depressive illness having been "dormant" beforehand and triggered by childbirth.
Postpartum psychosis is strongly related to the bipolar spectrum (one of the biggest risk factors for postpartum psychosis is previously diagnosed bipolar disorder)
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis are consistent with those of a bipolar I psychotic episode but have some special "twists" specifically related to motherhood.

Sorry for the question, but, do you have thoughts of harming the baby or yourself?

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