[Bipolarmum78]

Does anybody have any tips about how to deal with the anger? I can fly of the handle so badly at times. I feel so bad and think I am traumatizing my kids . I hate it when I'm yelling at them.
Tried over 20 different kind of meds and just weaned myself of lovan. Still taking half a dose of seroquel each night. The meds make me so tired (sedated) that I can't get anything done. They make daily life a struggle, it's hard to get to work on a daily basis when I am on them.
Need to find a way to control anxiety & anger! No $ for a pdoc. Seen a few in the last years but also that has not helped me much at all.
Thanks for listening guys.
Bipolar mum

[Victoria'smom]

The kids should be in therapy. Do you have a therapist? They usually can teach you coping skills. I apologize to my son when I can. We try to do as much as we can when I'm healthy. I don't carry guilt for my actions.

[Capriciousness]

Walk away. I know easier said then done but when you feel it coming just walk away. Sometimes it feels like you can't for whatever reason but better to walk away then to yell.

If it is possible walk out of the house...if husbands there or whatever. Just walk and keep walking.

That's all I got.

Hugs

[CANDC]

Hi bipolarmom. Welcome to Psych Central (PC). Managing anger is something these articles talk about.
Anger Management | Psych Central

6 Steps to Manage Anger | World of Psychology

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[wiretwister]

that's a real tough one ... not to sound down ... but I just had to grow out of my anger .... took years ...

[DysphoricManicMom]

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

[Bipolarmum78]

Thanks for all your replies. Will definitely look at the links soon.
Thank you for the encouraging words DysphoricManicMom. I can see you can relate . Hope you can work out your meds. School holidays is almost over here and I will get back to the gym more. That does help to settle anxiety and gets me more grounded & positive. I do apologize to my kids and explain to them that I do not mean to yell or get angry. I try to walk away and put myself in time-out.
Will look into therapy for the kids that is available for free, but am a little worried about that one. The wrong therapist can do more harm than good (I had lots of therapy when I was young, so I know!). Unbelievably any help like this cost top $ here in Aus or it has huge waiting list and you don't know who you will get.
Thanks again