Postpartum depression or bipolar triggered by childbirth?

Question

My partner seems to think I am bipolar. A little back story, my daughter is 10 weeks old and since her birth I have been extremely depressed. I started medication 8 weeks ago and I’ve since had it increased. I am working with my health visitor and a perinatal mental health nurse. I haven’t bonded with my baby, every night I wanted to run away or overdose. I even self harmed a little but it didn’t do much for me so haven’t done it in a while. I’ve basically been living in my bed hating life. Today I woke up feeling like a new person, suddenly I have energy. I organised the cupboards and have spent hours cleaning and tidying already today. I don’t feel overly happy but I don’t feel depressed. All of my problems are still there but they don’t seem to be affecting my mood today. I meet with my mental health nurse tomorrow so I’ll obviously speak to her about how I am feeling now and she is the expert. My thinking is my medication has finally started to kick in and I’m just having a good day. Thoughts? Or experiences?

Answer

I have a master's degree in clinical psychology. The signs of bipolar disorder is a cycle in which depression cycles into a phase of either mania or hypomania  (a less extreme version). Signs are increased energy, needing less sleep,  increased creativity, feeling agitated/irritable, and for true full  mania things like over spending, increased sex drive, delusions and dangerous behavior. It's possible that the meds are kicking in and you're feeling better. But sometimes, antidepressants can trigger the onset of mania or hypomania in someone who has had undetected bipolar disorder, and happens more to people in their late teens and 20s. There is controversy over this in the mental health field because you see a lot of general practitioners or other drs prescibing antidepressants, but don't inform the patient or follow up to make sure that a bipolar episode isn't triggered. It can be extremely dangerous and can in some rare cases lead to spontaneous suicide. So it's definitely something to pay attention to if your partner is noticing a big change. Keep an eye on the signs I described, and if you start to notice it more, then call your dr or go to the ER. Don't just stop taking the meds though. You would need to wean and start taking a different medication for bipolar disorder, if you get diagnosed. But maybe it is just the meds and you feel better. If it's the meds, you should feel like your old self before the depression vs different than ever.

Answer

Follow the guidelines and recommendations from your provider. Do not change things around because you’re SO has “diagnosed” you. If you are worried make another appointment. ❤️

Answer

I would listen to your health care advisor who had the experience and knows your medication history. It could very well be the increase in your meds now working!

Answer

Your partner can’t diagnose you. It could very well be that your meds are starting to work now. They can take several weeks to start taking effect

Answer

You sound bipolar . I have a minor bi polar issue and you ca. Get cycles of highs and lows. Where you happy then not ect. I can flip at the drop of a dime if I’m no being observant. I can usually tell at this point if my mood is about to flip soon. So I usually busy my self and that helps a lot

Postpartum depression or bipolar triggered by childbirth?

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