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Was pregnancy/postpartum and onset for bipolar for anyone?

post #1 of 6
Thread Starter 
Things have been crazy for me since pregnancy. I started on zoloft right after DS was born in July but things have gotten progressively worse. My marriage is falling apart, I'm irritable and angry all the time.
They upped my zoloft dosage and it just made mt irritability worse, so I'm tapering off now, but my psych said that it sounds like I have some bipolare tendencies.
I guess it would make sense, my mother is bipolar.
post #2 of 6
It would be a good idea to get a second opinion and possibly stop taking the Zoloft. I was initially put on Paxil for Depression. My mania was missed in the diagnosis because I'm bipolar II, which means I only have hypomania, which often goes unnoticed. The Paxil exacerbated my bipolar and I went from having episodes lasting for weeks - months to having episodes that lasted for mere days, sometimes hours.

My advice to you is to keep track of your moods. You can do this very easily by making a number system. 1 being suicidally depressed, 5 normal, 10 very manic. You can add your own behaviors depending on what you personally exhibit. Keep in mind that mixed states can occur too, where you can feel very depressed but be agitated, cocky and take risky behaviors. If you make a scale of numbers, then keeping track becomes very easy.

Take this to your doctor (and possibly a second doctor) and let them know what behaviors you're experiencing.

Because of the hormonal changes taking place in our bodies during pregnancy and childbirth, preexisting tendencies towards mood disorders are heightened even further.

Be safe and don't wait to get properly treated. My 2 cents. Take care of yourself and let those around you care for you too. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We've all been there and I know it's scary. Build a network of supportive people around you and do whatever you can to nurture you. Bring your family to counseling with you so they can understand and be aware of your symptoms and be a support to you.
post #3 of 6

bipolar with a 16 month old

Quote:
Originally Posted by fawnanddoe View Post
Things have been crazy for me since pregnancy. I started on zoloft right after DS was born in July but things have gotten progressively worse. My marriage is falling apart, I'm irritable and angry all the time.
They upped my zoloft dosage and it just made mt irritability worse, so I'm tapering off now, but my psych said that it sounds like I have some bipolare tendencies.
I guess it would make sense, my mother is bipolar.
I too have mood disorders and take Zoloft. I am going through a rough period as well. I chose to go of zoloft during the preganancy, suffered alot of mania pregnant. I still did alot of risky behavior. I am fight that behavior now and in the process of seeing psy. The aggitation can really bite. And I shake terrible when people upset me. I miss breastfeeding my son because of the feel good chemical you get when you nurse. Now I am barely managing mentally while trying to raise a toddler holistically. Has anyone metioned taking seroquel. Its zonked me out pretty good, until my levels adjusted. By might want to look that up.
post #4 of 6
Bipolar runs in our family as well. This seems to be what happened to my cousin after she had her baby. She was diagnosed a year or two after the baby was born.

I agree with the Alair who said to get things checked out ASAP and also about the counseling. It can take a while to get meds regulated. My brother has BP and is better now than he has ever been; however, my cousin is still trying to get things sorted out.

I hope you are able to get some answers soon and start to feel better.
post #5 of 6
I had bipolar set in after PPD. My psych said it's not a rare thing. Also if you have mild bipolar (normally dx'ed as depression), PPD can trigger the 'stronger' version.

Good luck, I've just been through this battle a few months ago.
post #6 of 6
Yes. It happened to me after my first child. I had depression/anxiety problems before but things skyrocketed after she was born.

Also happened to my mom. After her second child. She had no problems whatsoever before but it started during pregnancy and got progressively worse. I was so scared that it would happen to me. And it did. But nowhere near as bad. My mom has had a few suicide attempts. But I'm doing ok.

Hang in there! With the right meds you can get back to yourself again. Good luck!
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