Females with Bipolar Disorder

Does anyone notice a change in their moods or stability when they have PMS or their period?

For me I have intense anxiety and paranoia during PMS. As well I feel sad (cry alot...but usually on the "inside"). My PMS usually lasts for about 7-10 days.

When my period starts my brain feels normal as though a light switch has been turned on and all the neurotransmitters are working properly. I only get mild cramps for a day.

How do you cope with your mood swings during this time of the month?

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/family...and-diagnosis/

BIG TIME as this is ANOTHER chemical/hormoal change

Too long to explain, but yes, i feel tired, achy, and much worse in the days or week before my period. Once it starts for real, I seem to be fine. However, I have a condition that has been making it neverending, so there is no relief as there used to be.

As for coping...I just wait for it to pass and try to be kind to other people or sleep if I can't be.

My mood swings before my period are legendary. My OB gave me the pill, and that made me really depressed. She didn''t want to give me prozac... which may have been wise! I was not diagnosed bipolar then. I refuse to take the Pill now.... The legendary mood swings seem to be mellowing as I age.

uhh.. i have horrible cramps like I don't wanna get out of bed... andd i my mood is like blaahh, whatever. :/ my friends say i should be on the pill buttttt can it mix with my antidepressants(which dont work )??..

I agree about the switch being turned on and the off again. I turn into a mad woman for about 3 days!lol It's like I have this rage inside but too tired to do anything about it.

I have horrible temper tantrums that include threats of divorce and throwing things. It's like something takes over my body. I feel so horrible and ashamed after it passes.

Along with the overwhelming anxiety that is associated with my PMS I also experience great sadness. It is like everything that has ever caused me to be sad or will cause me to be sad over takes my body. I feel like crying and having a temper tantrum but nothing comes of it. I just feel horrible on the inside. And I isolate myself from friends. I don't return phone calls or I avoid the phone...etc. Often during PMS I feel very alone, sad, lost, and very desparate for comfort and support. It's sad but even just getting an e-card from someone would brighten up my day during this time.

I have heard of PMDD before and read some of the symptoms. But with everything I could fit into a number of disorders or conditions. And I don't want to be put on more medication like birth control pills.

If anyone knows of a natural way to relieve PMS that is associated with bipolar disorder I would greatly appreciate it. I tend to over eat when I have PMS because I feel so sad and empty inside. And then after I have over eaten I feel like crap (like all my arteries are clogged up).

Enough about me...

I get very upset very quickly, also I get really angry. :/

Yes, the pill can mix with antidepressants. Some meds will make the pill less effective, so "active" people will need to use an alternate method of birth control. But it doesn't hurt to add the pill if it will help make your cycle more tolerable. I'm pill resistant in addition to being treatment resistant with depression. I'm on my 5th kind and none of them have balanced out my cycle! I have double periods, like 17 days long, with a few days somewhere in between without. Sometimes I'll have a short period only to have it double in length a couple of weeks. I was totally sure when I'd have my period from age 13-29, albeit 16-17 times a year of 6-9 days of bleeding. Ever since getting treatment for depression and not wanting to have a child affected by all my meds, I've had to put up with these ridiculous side effects of irregular bleeding. I'm about to give up on the pill, but for some people it works wonders and they only have a period once every 2 or 3 months, their skin clears up, and/or they have lighter periods when they do have them. Bravo to them. I'm screwed either way.

Every time I have a medication change whether it is a decrease/increase in dosage or different medication the start date of my period changes. And it messes with my moods. Has this happened to anyone else before? What do you do to cope?

My moods go crazy when it starts i will go from paranoid to angry to very sad the whole time. for the most of it i sulk in my room away from everyone cause im in alot of pain. :/ so most of the time i sleep otherwise i pick mean fights with everyone around me. afterwords i feel horrible about it

How about we meet, & chat at the closest Starbuck's right now????
I'm buying!! What side of the Atlantic are you on???





Holmes

Hi Holmes

I'm on the west coast, so we will have to meet somewhere in between?

Awww, I understand how you feel!
I usually get through it by watching tv and snacking on whatevers in the house...maybe not the best stratagy lol