I have bipolar type 2 and am 6 weeks away from my scheduled c-section. I haven’t taken any medication during this pregnancy or with my other child. I have had pretty bad anxiety throughout the pregnancy and some lack of concentration but until recently I was able to manage . I haven’t slept well from the beginning of the pregnancy but now I have only been sleeping 2- 4 hours a night for about the last 5 weeks and it has caught up with me. I normally have to take high dosages of benzodiazepenes to sleep & obviously I can’t do that while pregnant. I take benadryl or tylenol PM, which are both a joke but it has been better than nothing until this point. I know there are other things I could take that might take the edge off so I can sleep but I am not sure if I should for the sake of the baby’s health. I have been holding on by the skin of my teeth and I know I don’t have that much longer to go but I don’t want to start out having had no sleep when the new baby gets here. Help!
Also, I did call my psychiatrist today but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. He is aware of the anxiety and sleeping problems I have been having but doesn’t know how bad it has gotten. Even if he recommends medication, I want some other opinions. I feel guilty about taking something but i’m trying to think about my 4 year-old too and that I might start taking my stress out on him (NOT physically) but you know what I mean.
I won’t be able to sleep when my baby sleeps because I have another child who doesn’t nap and never stops talking. I tried to nap with him on the couch today and everytime I was just about to dose off he would start talking to me again. Trust me, unless someone else is here to help me (which my Mom will be for the first month) I will NEVER sleep fo the first few months. Unless you are bipolar you can’t understand the intense anxiety that prevents you from sleeping, and just how detrimental it is that you do sleep. My point is that the baby isn’t even here yet & I can’t sleep because of anxiety and also because I can’t get comfortable due to pregnancy aches and pains. I was looking for advice on if I should or shouldn’t take meds right now.

My psychologist says these substances take away the benefits of the medication, Lamictal. But I just dont see a problem with them. If anything, Im taking this medication for nothing if I feel fine and still consume these three things. I dont know how he can expect me to give up caffeine & tobacco, but the alcohol I know I have to keep under control. He says that by consuming these three substances, the medication doesnt do it’s job. However, I have yet to find anything on the internet to support this.
To be honest, I dont think I needed the Lamictal at all. I went on it by his recommendation when I wanted to get off Cymbalta, which I was prescribed during a bad year of death in the family….for Stress. My stress is now under control. And Im thinking the Lamictal isnt doing anything since I consume these 3 things pretty regularly. Ive been on Lamictal for about 5 months. I kinda think these dr’s just want to support the pharmacuetical companies and drain our insurance benefits.

We think our nephew may be bipolar.

My 8 soon to be 9 year old daughter has always had strange behavior problems. She is quiet and shy in school. But is very angry and moody at home. She can change from being happy and chatty to be screaming and raging in a heartbeat. When she was a newborn we could not put her in a vehicle, she screamed and cried bloody murder until she was over a year old. She has never slept through the night and cannot sleep alone. She used to panic if a shirt was too tight going over her head, that has gotten better but the fear is still there if the shirt lingers over her face for too long. These are just a few of the things that have happened and continue happening as she gets older. Her father has been diagnosed with bipolar and has a history of it in his family. I know it is hereditary and I just would like an opinion of wether or not I should bring these problems up with her doctor or if I’m just being paranoid.?
I never said I wanted her put on medication. I also do not believe in drugging children for no reason, but I also do see the good side of therapy and was hoping for more details on how to handle the behavioral issues. I am at the end of my rope and need help not critizism. Thanks
I was married to her father for two years and he was without a doubt bipolar. The episodes were horrible and violent. His aunt is also mentally ill, I do not know what her diagnoses is but I have also seen her have episodes and she is uncontrollable and violent. I think that since these mental illnesses are hereditary I may look closer for answers in her behavior in that area. But I have two other children at home that this is effecting.
Maybe I should mention some of the other symptoms….she loved horses and never had a fear of them, never had anything to happen that should scare her. Now all of a sudden she’s terrified. She is and always has been very sexual. (no she has NOT been molested. My daughter is never left alone with any man. I’m very particular about this subject.) Anyway, she is always hot, never keeps covers on and never sleeps in anything more than a t-shirt and panties. She has done fine in school and loves school, and now she is having panic attacks and not wanting to go. Yes, I’ve discussed if something has happened to her at school and she claims that nothing has happened and I have also had her grandparents and other influential people talk to her about this and no one can get anything out of her. She is constantly worried that me or anyone close to her is going to die. She is obsessed with blood and gore and I have caught her looking up pictures of dead animals. The list goes on and on

I have a 6yr old boy that was just diagnosed with bipolar and regular punishments do not work for him, even praises he could care less about. The only meds that the docs have out him on are geodon and i really do not think that is working. Does anyone else know of any different meds out there for bi polar, or what works with a bipolar child? Any kind of asisstance would be helpful. He had actually tried to pull a cops gun so he could shoot him, thats why i say its not working. Please someone help that has knowledge or experience with this. I love my child to death but dont want to see him hurt someone or himself.

We’ve only been dating a few days, and I’ve seen him mostly during his manic phase. but now he’s depressed. I’m just confused as to how i should act, and what i should say. and everything like that.

Afraid to lose benefits but I wanna try.

I was diagnosed 8 years ago with type 2. I’ve been seeing the same psychiatrist for going on 3 years and now he says that he believes that I have type 1.

I am researching my options about bipolar treatment. I am currently seeing a naturopathic doc but wanted to see if people had luck with regular meds. If you’ve had success that lasts, can you please share it with me? Also side effects would be much appreciated as well. Thank you
I would appreciate answers from people with personal experience. Side-liners please