BP moms - agitation?

[MyTwoAs]

I was diagnosed with bipolar II about...ohhhh...12 years ago. I've been on and off meds throughout that time and am in an 'on meds' stage - actually I've been playing the meds-go-round for about two years. I think we've found a happy answer with Abilify as I've been taking it for about six months. I'm also on Lexapro for a breakthrough depression and Ativan as-needed for anxiety.

Right now I'm dealing with major agitation. I am just not a nice person to be around. My daughter was recently diagnosed with autism (about six weeks ago) so I have that stressing me out and I think the extra stress is leading to the agitation. I hate that I'm grouchy all the time. Obviously as an MDC momma I don't spank but I admit that I have raised my voice at my children more in the past month or so than I'd ever have imagined, its embarassing really.

How do you handle the agitation? I need it to GO AWAY. :

[kaydee]

Sorry to hear you're going through this.

I experience anxiety more than agitation, but I do have times of severe agitation as well, and I have found through trial and error (and error and error) that for me, those are times I need to take the Ativan. But I feel okay doing so only because those periods usually only last about 2 weeks. I also try to watch my diet carefully during those times, try to do my meditation, and try especially hard to be kind to myself....