So I think I had a Manic Attack Last Night --- People with Bi-polar only?!
Question: So I have beeen feeling really depressed and been crying lots. I am 11 weeks pregnant with our second child(unmedicated for 3 years). I have been diagnosed with Bi-polar Type 1 and I usually go through mixed states and I rapid cycle.
My husband and I were having an arguement after he got off work and I just wanted to leave with our 19 month old, but he wouldn't let me leave with her(he wouldn't talk to me and I was upset and needed to talk). He took away my Joint Credit Card and Joint debit card and my house key. I was quite upset about this and fetl very trapped, so I called the police. Of course when they came over, because there was no abuse going on, they couldn't do anything, and thought it was silly that they were even at our house.
Did I have a Manic attack? I haven't had one in a while and when you are so emotional it is hard to tell. I have a Doctors Appointment on Feb. 5, but I am just wondering, if this is more serious, that I should see her more soon.
Answers: So I have beeen feeling really depressed and been crying lots. I am 11 weeks pregnant with our second child(unmedicated for 3 years). I have been diagnosed with Bi-polar Type 1 and I usually go through mixed states and I rapid cycle.
My husband and I were having an arguement after he got off work and I just wanted to leave with our 19 month old, but he wouldn't let me leave with her(he wouldn't talk to me and I was upset and needed to talk). He took away my Joint Credit Card and Joint debit card and my house key. I was quite upset about this and fetl very trapped, so I called the police. Of course when they came over, because there was no abuse going on, they couldn't do anything, and thought it was silly that they were even at our house.
Did I have a Manic attack? I haven't had one in a while and when you are so emotional it is hard to tell. I have a Doctors Appointment on Feb. 5, but I am just wondering, if this is more serious, that I should see her more soon.
If you are feel like you are going to swap moods and go from depressed to manic you probably should see your doctor sooner than your scheduled appointment if she has an opening available before February 5th. I know how bad things can get when you aren't on your medication - I too am Bi-Polar Type 1 but I also have psychotic features, severe OCD, acute paranoia I think God hates me and does stuff to me on purpose, not that people are out to get me), and delusions of grandeur (I made the mistake of telling a judge that I wanted to and was capable of running the entire country for a while if the powers that be would just give me to opportunity). I am also prone to having both visual and auditory hallucinations if I don't take my medication.
Anyway, have you and your doctor discussed your taking any type of medication to help stabilize your moods while you are pregnant??? There are a few drugs available that won't harm the baby while in utero, but they will "contaminate" your breast milk in some way so that you won't be able to breast feed if that's your plan. Also, have you tried therapy??? From personal experience I can tell you that seeing both my regular shrink and keeping her informed with how my meds are working and letting her make adjustments as she feels they are necessary and also seeing a therapist every three weeks, my life seems so much better than it has in the past. Every time I leave the therapist's office, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and that I can do anything I want to without any extra stress. By the time three weeks goes by and it's time to go back again I feel like the weight of the world has been piled back on, but I talk it out with her and start all over again. I know a lot of people think therapy is ridiculous and doesn't have beneficial effects at all, but i will recommend it to anyone.
I'm sorry for you that your husband doesn't seem to be very supportive of you right now, but maybe he just doesn't understand what you are going through right now - that of course is not a very good excuse for his behavior, but guys tend to be a little dense when it comes to understanding. My fiance is a total moron at times when it comes to dealing with this stuff and we've been together for 5 years now.
The only other thing I can think to tell you is that it could be a possibility that these mood swings are just being brought on by hormones. But again, only your doctor is going to be able to tell you for certain. Good luck to you.
Did you go to sleep later in the evening? Was your heart racing? Where you thoughts racing so much that you could barely talk to the cops and get your story out?
Usually manic episodes have all of those indicators--can not sleep, super high energy, heart and thoughts racing, talking super fast, etc...like everything in your head is on fast forward.
I am Type II and when I get manic (not often and not as severe as Type I) I just start to talk really fast and my thoughts start to race and I feel like I can not keep up with my thoughts, like I need to get up and move -- or run a marathon.
Sounds more like a hormonal/emotional response to an emotionally charged situation. SInce you are pregnant your hormones (as you know having a child already) are going all over the place.
I think that it was probably a good idea not to take you child and "go" when you were in that state. Driving when you are in that sort of emotional place can be dangerous. That being said, you may want to look at your relationship as a whole and see what is going on. Is he controlling you? Is he mentally abusive?
Maybe you should call your local crisis line or the national domestic violence crisis line. 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is anonymous and they can tell you about resources in your local area that can help you figure out what is going on.
Oh and the "crisis" line is not just for the minute when you are in crisis--they are there to help anytime. They are people who are trained who want to help, so please call.
It is good that you know your body well enough to know what is going on--as far as hormones etc...it is so hard sometimes.
Why are you unmedicated? Is it due to the pregnancy? I know that a lot of the BP drugs can be scary, but they have made a lot of progress in finding new drugs (or old drugs used for other things) that are very helpful and have low side effects.
The crisis line is also not just for people who are in abusive or DV relationships...anyone can call and ask to talk to someone who is trained and can provide you with additional resources in your community.
I can tell you that you are not alone. I know that mine is different than your, but I can go from feeling "fine" to questioning life and why the hell I am here and whether death would be better...it is at those times that the crisis line is great for me. I pick up the phone and have human contact with someone who is not judging me and I can tell them anything b/c it is anonymous.
It sounds like you have a few issues going on--the BP and some relationship issues. Maybe you could find a good marriagre counselor as well.
How fast were your thoughts going? How was your sleep? How do you feel today? Is your energy level up? Are you obsessing and thinking to fast about yesterday's events or are you viewing them in a reasonable perspective? Technically, it's not hypo/mania unless it lasts a week, BUT there can be leading indicators of short duration that onset is coming.
Regardless of these answers, I'd push up your appointment if the outburst was out of character. It may well be just hormones (fair chance) but if you are starting to go hypo/manic, the sooner your doctor is aware of the potential mood shift the better off you and your child will be. Besides, working with a pdoc routinely thru the pregnancy will give your husband some peace of mind and as such you and your marriage a little more firm ground regarding your moods during what always is a moody period.