Mental health support.

Well, I'm not sure if this would go into the 'fitness' category. FFA it is!


After a suck-filled few hours of discussing my horrid self-esteem and depression issues with Rawb, I then showed up on BG and found Mara. So, we talked about it in small bits and pieces and decided it was a good idea to be able to come here and vent about such things.


http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about324533.html (Resources from another BG member)



A nice place to find other people who have the same issues as yourself. (I know all too well about the 'alone' feeling. Like you are the only one.)

So, I'll start with something simple.

Personally, I have low self-esteem issues. Sometimes they are horrible, and sometimes I feel okay with myself. It's something I've been working on for years, and obviously, haven't fixed as of yet..

*ahem*
I wanted to get this "stickied"  

http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about324533.html

I have horrible self-esteem issues. It really doesn't help seeing as my fiance seems to point it out. Like the other night in bed, I was talking about my chubbiness, ect and he responded with "You're too down on yourself." Which set me over the edge of course.

I'm also very depressed at times, and have been for most of my life. It's been a pretty long road for me.

I want to get help but I cannot afford it.I do not have insurance, so I'm trying to keep myself on a good level, but it's hard.

I think I might be bi-polar.

Wonderful idea for a thread. ^^

Quoting Kelli Jo (AB-):“ *ahem* I wanted to get this "stickied"   http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about324533.html”

I could put that in my OP for resources.  

This thread is sort of like that, but a bit wider in range? I don't make sense to myself when I'm in a weird mood.

I feel constantly overwhelmed by the demands of life. Parenting, working, keeping house, maintaining relationships, trying tofind time for myself. I don't have any of my own friends anymore, or hobbies, because I don't have the time or money. I feel like I've lost myself trying to be everything toeveryone else.  

Here goes:
I have Bipolar Disorder. I have more manic episodes than depressive. On top of that I have anger management issues I am currently working on.
I am only half medicated at the time due to my pregnancy. I can't completely stop my meds because I am more of a risk to my baby unmedicated. I fear everyday my baby will be born with the "supposed" birth defects related to my medication. I am not sure how I am going to handle that, because I already have so much grief and guilt over being medicated to begin with.

It's been a tough road for me. I have lost alot of people I love because of my illness. My marriage fell apart 3 years ago due to this all, and it always brought me alot of anger. I didn't ask to be born this way, so it hurts when people are torn from my life because of my actions.

As of late I lost my job after being on an impatient unit for quite some time....

Hi! You are not alone. There are millions of women who suffer from "mental illness" and it is serious. I personally and bipolar and have major panic attacks. Along with that I had addiction problems with xanax and vicodin. Of course I knew I was trying to get pregnant so I am battling my addictions and going to NA. And have been clean for 2 months now (im 5 wks preggo). But the downside is I had to get off alot of my regular medications. The best thing is to vent, cry, talk, anything that helps. I write in a journal and listen to music and scream it at the top of my lungs! If you ever need to talk message me, I can always listen....kelli

Quoting Toreh:“ I could put that in my OP for resources.   This thread is sort of like that, but a bit wider in range? I don't make sense to myself when I'm in a weird mood.”

Yes please! I will help in any way I can.

For you ladies who are bipolar, how did the doctor 'test' for it?

Did you have to try several medications before you found one that worked for you?

Quoting Heather ♥ Chelsie:“ For you ladies who are bipolar, how did the doctor 'test' for it? Did you have to try several medications before you found one that worked for you?”

There isn't a real "test" but rather observation of behaviors and feelings.
It took my doc a while to diagnose me. I kept a journal of my thoughts, and a timeline of my actions and brought them to him for discussion. They will usually rule out any thyroid or other imbalances first, because those physical issues can be cause depression , irritability, etc.

I have been medicated with a few different things. I was on a decent combo of Seroquel XR and Lamictal before I got pregnant. Seroquel is a huge no-no for pregnancy, and I doubt I would even take it after the baby gets here. IT made me sleepy.

Its hard to say how many meds I was on before I got stable, because I am still unstable.   My psych doc and I are working on a crisis intervention plan at the moment. So my family and I know what actions to take when the baby is born. I will be medicated immediately after my child's birth, and my family is staying with me for an indefinite period of time after I get home. It sucks being "babysat" but I know its for the good of both myself and my children. BP disorder intensifies PP depression.

Quoting Kelli Jo (AB-):“ There isn't a real "test" but rather observation of behaviors and feelings. It took my doc a while ... [snip!] ... It sucks being "babysat" but I know its for the good of both myself and my children. BP disorder intensifies PP depression.”

Hmm, perhaps I should start keeping a journal now and then take it with me when I get insurance? I think that would be a good idea.

My only problem with that is if I'm too stressed out, I can't write. Or I'll start writing and space out and start drawing pictures, get frustrated and then give up. =/

Which sucks because writing was my all time thing next to art when I was growing up. I had dreams of being a professional writer while I was little.. and now I can ever sit and write for a few minutes.


Besides the sleepiness were there any big side effects ont eh medications that you've tried?

I know that my mom, who's been on anti depressants since I was little, said she tried prozac and she couldn't cry anymore.

I would really like to avoid that, heh.
Edited to say: It intensifies PPD? Maybe that's why I've been feeling even crappier than usual lately. =/

Quoting Heather ♥ Chelsie:“ Hmm, perhaps I should start keeping a journal now and then take it with me when I get insurance? I think ... [snip!] ... to avoid that, heh. Edited to say: It intensifies PPD? Maybe that's why I've been feeling even crappier than usual lately. =/”

It most definitely intensifies it. My manic triggers are irritability and fatigue. Which I would add to the top of the list of PP issues! So I have to be really careful when the baby gets here. Which I why I need the help.

I have a hard time writing too. You don't have to write a novel. Even if you get upset and write on phrase down at a time, its enough for your doctor to establish a pattern , and decide what steps are right for you.

A good psych doc will always recommend you also seek behavioral therapy (counseling). Meds and therapy go hand in hand. Nobody should be medicated without also being given therapy options.

If you look at the original post, the OP added a link. That link is to a topic I started about support groups. There are 2 different organizations that offer them. I participate in both. They are offered in various locations accross the country and are completely free.

Quoting Kelli Jo (AB-):“ It most definitely intensifies it. My manic triggers are irritability and fatigue. Which I would add ... [snip!] ... offer them. I participate in both. They are offered in various locations accross the country and are completely free. ”

Free sounds like a plan. ^^

Thanks so much for yor help. I'll be sure to check it out, though I'm sure I'll have to travel to get help, as we live in a VERY small town.

But it's worth it if I can stop being so "insane" as my fiance puts it. =/

Quoting Heather ♥ Chelsie:“ Free sounds like a plan. ^^ Thanks so much for yor help. I'll be sure to check it out, though I'm sure ... [snip!] ... to get help, as we live in a VERY small town. But it's worth it if I can stop being so "insane" as my fiance puts it. =/”

I won't call you insane until I see you sporting a straight jacket.  
Let me know please if you find one in your area. I am interested to know!

CAN I VENT?!?!?! Long story short...I dont like myself. I dont think I'm a good mom to T. My husband cheated because i stopped giving him what he needed, besides sex. The simple shit that a man needs to hear every so often. That he is loved and appreciated and all that jazz. I have no idea if T and I will be going with him to NJ where he will be stationed soon. I want to die some days and just give up. Did i mention I don't really like myself that much?