[sarek]

I am putting this in meds as its more or less a med related issue. Feel free to move it if its better placed somewhere else.

My long distance gf has a number of mental health issues among which:

1. either full blown schizophrenia or perhaps schizoaffective disorder. She was dx ed schizophrenic when in an acute pychosis so its possible only the positive symptoms, and not the negative ones were properly classified
2. An earlier dx of bipolar, which may or may not be correct. There is defo a serious mood problem with cyclic aspects(mania/depression).
3. Very serious anxiety issues
4. Some form of body image issue or dysmorphia

Her conditions severely impair her functioning, pretty much keeping her confined to home and almost totally uncommunicative.
She is completely treatment avoidant and pretty much phobic about the NHS mental health service. Efforts to get her to seek help have so far been fruitless. There is therefore, no medication whatsoever.

My question, however, is not about the above, its about the following specific issue:

She is thinking about taking the birth control pill. I have always been extremely reluctant about that in light of her various conditions. There is no telling what the hormonal changes would do to her mind and I am loathe to let her take any chances.

Is there any information whatsoever about the effects of the various birth control pills on someone with the above conditions? Would it make each of them worse in any way?
I tried googling for this, but although there is info, none of it is specific enough for this situation.

[Travelinglady]

Maybe she could ask her doctor (psychiatrist) this question. I have no idea. We'll see if anyone here knows, but I'd trust a doctor's advice.

[sarek]

Yes, well that is the main issue. I wish she would actually go and see the psychiatrist. Its a hope for the future because she really does need treatment.

[Travelinglady]

Would she go to see a regular medical doctor, such as her primary care doc? He/she might be able to say something on this issue.

[Nessa213]

I don't nearly have the same difficulties that she seems to deal with. I have been diagnosed Bipolar and have only had relatively mild psychosis in the past.

I went on birth control (ortho cyclen... the typical oral contraceptive) about 3 months ago. This was also prior to starting any mood stabilizers. The first month was actually pretty horrendous with the mood shifts. Super up one day and then driving around thinking of jumping of bridges a few days later. Accompanied by intense and persistant anxiety and some awful paranoia. Which... as I said... I have Bipolar, so it is entirely possible this was all part of my normal cycle (at least the anxiety/paranoia part). A month after that was when I started taking my mood stabilizer: Lamictal. Again (or still I should say) I remained what I consider to be relatively unstable... mood wise. Although I was still able to fake my way through my work day. That was about 6 weeks ago. I'm just now starting to feel "better" although I still have my days. And they (moods) don't seem to shift as often as they were a few months ago. However its still all really hard to tell being such an episodic sort of thing.

That was just my experience and I thought I'd share. I really hope you can get her to see a doctor. They would probably know far better.

[Vossie42]

Would she see a gynecologist? I recommend a female gynecologist. I personally think that a female gynecologist would have more empathy toward women's psychological well-being and this be more inclined to know about what forms of birth control have what effect on women such as your girlfriend.

[sarek]

She might be willing to see her regular doc but likely not a gynaecologist(more issues).

Nessa, thank for your clarification. That is the kind of user experience I was looking for and it gives me some kind of idea what to expect. It still looks like a risky idea to me.

[Odee]

These are all great suggestions save that they will only be helpful if said GF is open about her psych issues. She can easily skip informing the doc.

But yes, BC can wreck havoc on emotional health, even in otherwise emotionally/psychologically healthy females.

[mimi2112]

Back in the 80's I saw my first pdoc when I was 16. One of the first q's he asked me is if I took bc pills. He told me to go off of them. He said they definitely effect psych. issues. So all these years now, I am 43, I have not taken the pill knowing that my mental health issues are bad enough without adding insult to injury with a bc pill. Of course practicing safe sex is a must too, so be careful.

If she has had access to bc pills, then she has already seen a physician so I am not understanding this contradiction. (about your saying she won't see a physician)... maybe I am misunderstanding?

I am sorry that she is so ill and I am glad you are trying to help. I hope she doesn't tend toward self injury/suicide.

I really hope things get better.

[Trippin2.0]

I am dxd with Bipolar with some psychosis thrown in now and then just for shyts and giggles...

When I started the pill, I had zero issues besides falling pregnant while taking it religiously so I obviously quit it.

First 3 months of BC injection were crazy though. It didn't affect my bp cycles, but what it did do, was make me extremely emotional, I cried at the drop of a hat. For everything. Ugh that was frustrating and embarrassing!

After that though, my body fully adjusted to the synthetic hormones and I have not had issues since. Been on it since '05 and it doesn't exacerbate my mental health issues one iota.

Everyone is different of course, but just my 00.02c