This is the main reason I sought help. My extreme irritibility and anxiety causes me to get angry with my kids. I still struggle with it sometimes. Lamictal helps tame it down but not as much as Id like. I found that seroquel makes me so tired and being tired pisses me off and then when I am having to tend to the kids while tired I get angry anyway! If it continues I may ask about an AP.

But I have learned my triggers when interacting with the kids. If I didnt get enough sleep I make a point to not try to do very much so I dont get worked up as easily. Sometimes, though, if my 3 year old screams out of nowhere it sets me off no matter how well rested I am or if my kids are fighting or just making tons of noise it gets to me. I just try to take time for myself so when my kids need me I am not preoccupied by thinking about the things I cant do bc my kids need me and they come first. Its hard to be the one that is relied upon the most in the family when you're also the one that needs to take care of herself the most.

My only advice is to take as much time for yourself at every opportunity, get enough sleep, and try to keep a routine. I still cant get a decent routine down as I am usually scatterbrained and kids are unpredictable. I dont have much advice for meds bc I dont have much experience with them. All I can say is if there arent much options left to try a different med then look to other ways to cope. Make a point to look at the sites previous poster listed, read and read on ways to take care of yourself if you arent already. Ask for help with your kids as often as possible, get a babysitter for time to yourself if you cant squeeze in time when they are with you. All this is advicd to mothers in general, so its especially crucial for mothers with MI. You are a good mother, youre doing the best you can and you love your children and you obviously care enough to be asking for help. This all matters. Being a mother is the hardest job in the world, we dont get enough credit. All things I wish ANYONE would have said to me. Take care