bipolar?

Cialilerin

Hello,
I've read all these posts and think that Anthillmob has got a lot of support here. I was diagnosed with post-natal depression after my dd (my 4th!)was born in Aug 2007. I got fabulous support via a Mother and Baby unit at the local psychiatric hosp.More recently, it's been discovered that my problems are not just related to post-natal, so I've been referred to my local mental health centre. Interestingly, the first thing they have done is check my thyroid, as apparently this affects your moods. I was also told that what is a 'normal' thyroid level for one person may not be 'normal' for another!
I'm now waiting for this to come back and to find out what is wrong with me - cos I'd hate to think that this is it and I will feel the way I feel now forever.
I think i've been one of the lucky ones, I know of people who have had real trouble getting referred from the GP, but please Anthillmob, keep trying. Be as honest as possible with your GP - about how you feel, how you see your future and how much and why you drink. They may need to sort your drinking levels out first cos it probably isn't helping!
Don't beat yourself up about being a bad mom - easier said than done, I know. Your kids love you and your oh loves you or he wouldn't still be there. I, too, am lucky to have a supportive oh. I don't know why he's stayed with me given all the abuse I've thrown at him in the last few years, guess it's love - and on my good days we are great together. He tries to understand but unless you've been through it, I don't think you really can.
I'll be thinking of you today - please let us know how you got on.

absolutebounder

Ant. I believe you are on some form of medication was it for arthritis or something? as others have said alchohol is a depressant in its own right 9strange that we drink yo get merry but that is one of the tricks of the mind). Alchohol reacts with so many other medications and often in unpredictable ways. you say you dont need it then put that theory to the test and go tee total. not the best time of year to start but the sooner the better.

skipsmum

Hi,
I was sectioned in the summer and then diagnosed with bipolar. Its a horrible thing to happen, hospitals are not particularly safe and was awful for my family visiting me there. The side effects of the medication are awful. I cant imagine wanting to go there voluntarily.
I hope you get some help from your GP (mine was fantastic) and the community team and a referral for some psychiatric help.
xx

kaya

Anthillmob wrote: »

i dont need to drink them, its a habit like the fags were. ive knocked it on the head before. i dont know why i do it. my partner does as well. but if i stopped and he didnt it wouldnt bother me.

don't fool yourself, the fags were not a habit they were an addiction, as is the alcohol, we all convince ourselves we are not addicted to ciggies, but the fact that most people never give up is a good indication of whats going on underneath, if you were strong enough to give up nicotine then dumping the alcohol shouldn't be too difficult, alcohol is a poison, thats why you need a licence to sell it, do you think drinking poison regularly is helping or causing your symptoms?, i wish you all the best for the future , please dump the poison

bestpud

Can I just say (without wanting to cause alarm) that giving up alcohol if you are dependent on it can actually be fatal.

In fact it can be worse for the body than coming off hard drugs.

I don't know if you need it or not Ant, but please speak with your GP about the drinking before just cutting it out.

At the very least it may influence the effect of any help/meds they give you so they need to be aware of it.

Good luck today.

pipkin71

Hope you've got on / get on ok today, Ant.

Have been thinking about you and fingers crossed you can start to get somewhere.

Once you hit rock bottom, there's only one way to go and with support, you will get there

larmy16

I think if you do drink every day and I think you said 6-8 cans of lager, then it is probably a combination of an addiction and a habit. Children are extremely sensitive to the effects of alcohol on their parents. they will probably feel very anxious and nervous while you are drinking.

I am only saying this as I grew up around a father whose moods were dictated by his alcohol intake and I was very on edge and also felt hugely responsible for him drinking! crazy but the effects of alcohol are so far reaching and I think kids are far more aware than people give them credit for.

For some people alcohol is particularly poisonous. You will find out how dependent you are by stopping for a few nights - see how hard it is. Well done giving up the cigs by the way.

Wishing you all the best but if you do get prescribed some tablets to control your moods, drinking alcohol is the worst thing you can do.

Good luck and hope you feel better very soon. X

Anthillmob

thanks all.

larmy before i forget, i only drink when the kids are in bed but i know what you mean.

i woke up slightly better mood today but it still took me an hour to wake up proper and get out of bed. id much rather stay there. my doctor listened to me, he looked up my meds [been on it for a year now], he researched my medical history right back to when i saw a counsellor all them 9 or so years ago.

he sat there and let me ramble on a confused mass of my confusion thats in my head. i am suffering depression. and he has prescribed me some of the 'newer' antid's. im to go back in 2 months unless i feel worse and obviously have to give them time to kick in.

i even told my mum. good or bad? she asked why and i was like 'surely you can see why'.

i explained my agression to my dr and if i need anger management and counselling then they are all there for e to be referred to.

i mentioned the drinking. he didnt say im an alcoholic but he was suprised tht ive never mentioned it before. maybe disappointed in me a bit but as i said to him ive never mentioned it as its just something i do that i enjoy and that i enjoyed smoking but gave that up 4 months ago.

i wont cut the drink in one go. unlike when i stopped the fags and slapped on a patch for the the fist week, and as someone said here, wean myself off and cut down.

feeling more positive today. and saw my little girl in nativity play @ nursery today and it was lovely.

Anthillmob

oh re alcohol. quit date is a good idea. guess what day ive chosen! new years day. awful i know but ive chosen a date like i chose a quit date with the smoking.

last thing i want to be is extremely arsy over crimbo made evn worse because im not drinking.

i thank you all for your advice and support.

when are the best times of day to take these tablets? they shouldnt make you drowsy but you have to be aware if you drive which i do a couple of mornings a week. is before bedtime ok?

dmg24

You have taken a really positive step forward today Anthillmob. Good luck for the future x