hi jennifer,
sorry to hear how bad things have been for you.
im not an expert but i personally think this sounds like severe anxiety disorder with panic attacks or something along those lines, bipolar involves swings of mood with manic episodes and it doesnt sound as though you are alternating between moods but more like on going anxiety. i do get some anxiety with my bipolar including the upset stomach you spoke about and i also pull my eyelashes out, but this tends to be when im in a manic phase.
the most important thing is to see a pdoc and get a proper evualation and diagnosis so you can start treatment, you dont have to suffer like this.
good luck

thank you for replying. Even though you and i dont or might not have the same sickness it makes me feel better for someone who can relate somewhat and not think ive just gone crazy. Thanks for giving me a ray of hope. I made an appointment to go to the dr on wednesday and i hope all goes well. Is there any kindof medication that i should be doing research on before i go to the dr that can treat that? or would i more than likely need to see a councelor? If so then i would like to do some research before i go so i know my options. thanks again

Jennifer

Jennifer

How long have you been taking the Adderall? My son took Adderall for his ADHD and it caused him to lose his appetite tremendously. Along with nerves, the Adderall might be part of why your stomach is upset- a combination of the two. The dosage you are taking might be more than what your body can handle or you could be having an allergic reaction if you are also having a rash, as you had also mentioned. You might want to visit your MD about this, as they would be in the right position to figure this out for you.

Severe stress effects people differently, and what you are describing is that. Only a pdoc/tdoc would be in the right position to diagnosis a person. Have you contacted a pdoc/tdoc (psychiatrist or therapist) yet? If not, it would be souly in your best interest to contact either or both. The pdoc to get a full mental health exam to determine if you have any other illness' and the tdoc to help sort out things that are going on in your life, and to help you find some structure for your family.

I see a tdoc and pdoc both monthly and bi-monthly. The tdoc helps provide structure for me, even though I'm married, I've made a mess of my life a few times while being married and almost lost my marriage due to 'being bipolar' and mentally ill. Taking care of onesself is taking a step into the forward and right direction, and means that a person is doing the best they can to care for themselves and their family. :)

This is something you can do if you set your mind to it. Believe in you. Go for it girl!! :D

Many hugs

Coffeegirl :angel:

I have an appointment wednesday and the adderall is the first thing i'm going to ask about. I figured that could intensify how ive been feeling. Ive always had problems with depression and add, and anxiety, and ofcourse stress (who doesnt), but here lately its been 10 times worse and i figured it could be numerous of things....like my meds, the fact i have a new baby and 2 kids to take care of now, my hubby started a new job where hes gone a week and home a week(and i miss him and i got used to him comming home every night to help me with the kids). Also there is alot of mental problems in my family as in, depression panick attacks/anxiety, my mom is bipolar but shes in denial. So i wasnt sure if any of those things could be passed down. I too want to get in controll of my problem because poor Garrett (hubby) just doesnt understand and i knwo he can only try to help soo much and i know he can only take too much because I KNOW it has to be stressful and overwhelming putting up with me sometimes. I'm just thankful that i know i have a problem instead of being like my mother who is in denial and has hurt many people along the way including herself. I DO NOT want my kids to grow up like ive had to. I'm broke for now until Garrett starts bringing in a check (which is another constant worry), so i'm on medicaid;therefore i'll have to go to the regular family doctor and hopefully she will write me a referral so that i can see a pdoc or a tdoc because thats the only way medicaid will pay for it. Thank you so much for you advice and your experience and i hope things stay better for you.

Jennifer:angel:

Hi, Jennifer:wave: First you need a ((((HUG)))) and then someone to tell you that it's going to be okay!! And you know why???? Because in reading your post I can see that you really want it to be okay. And it will be because you are fighting for it to be.

Nobody here is an expert but I have done alot of research trying to help my daughter who has just recently been diagnosed Bipolar. For one it your mom is Bipolar there is a good chance of you having it as well. And it IS treatable so that is the good news. Also, it is a known fact that Bipolar will be triggered or worsten during adolescence when hormonal levels surge, after the birth of a baby (postpartum), or during menopause. So you fit the criteria there as well.

You definitely need to go to your doctor and get the referral. I really am impressed with the fact that you want to get help, most people will avoid doing so but you will get better because you want to. The first step to getting there is getting to the doctor. From there it is trying to find the right treatment and meds.

Do you have any extended family to call upon for support??? I know that this must be a difficult time but it is soooo important for you to take care of yourself. You need to get enough sleep, eat right, and exercise.....that is so important not only for a new mom but especially for somebody who may be Bipolar. Any stress you can alleviate is sooo important so do not hesitate to call upon friends and family to help you out when hubby is unable to.

We are here if you need to talk to someone.....venting is another good thing to do and will take some of the pressure off of hubby too.;)

You will be alright.....you know you need help and I know that you will get it. Make that appointment ASAP....the sooner you get to the doctor the sooner you will be on your way to feeling better.

God bless you for being such a wonderful mom to your kids....they are lucky to have you. ~ Goody:angel:

(((Jennifer)))

Goody is right that it could be postpartumn. My SIL suffered with that after both of her pregnancies. It is very difficult, and she too, went through depression and anxiety as well.

You are experiencing lots of anxiety from being a mom with a newborn and two other children (children in general are demanding and tons of work! :dizzy: ) ((((HUGS)))) Adding the dilemmia of your hubby's work that makes for a tough situation on you at home. Harder on you as a mom in many ways more than one.

Are there any family, neighbors, or friends nearby that can help watch the kids while you get some rest or spend some time with the baby, even if it is for just an hour or two?

My heart goes out to you. Hang in there.

Hugs a bunch

Coffeegirl

thank yall so much for being so supportive. There are so many possibilities of what it can be and i'm ready to start going down the line to pinpoint what it is so i can be on the road to recovery and so i can be the happy person i used to be. I do not like feeling like this and i'm definately excited to get some treatment started so i can be strong for my babies. I dont have any friends(had to run them all off because they were into drugs and i will not have that around my kids or risking my kids getting taken away over anyone), but i do have family. They would listen....but ive noticed just today that it helped me tremendously getting on here and talking with people who can know what i'm talking about and that can somehow relate. For example, I'll talk to Garrett about it all day long but he'll never truly understand because he hasnt experienced anything like that. As a matter of fact when i used to get really depressed alot he would ask me "why are you doing that to yourself, can you just stop it" lol and its understandable that he has no clue of how i could feel that way for no triggered reason and now get my self out of it. Both of my grandmothers watch the girls....when i have a night off they get one each (because theyre old and i dont wanna throw both of them on one of them all at once lol) i want to thank yall again for giving me hope in such a hard time because it felt like it was the end and i needed the posotive thing yall gave me and it got me through it. (((((HUGS))))))

Jennifer:angel: :angel:

Good for you, Jennifer!!! Getting away from the bad influences that in itself is a gigantic step for somebody who is depressed and may be Bipolar. One more thing is that many people who are Bipolar will self medicate by using drugs and alcohol to make themselves feel better. This is before they are properly diagnosed. Just thought you may want to know that.

One suggestion I would like to make is to get out there with your babies and take them to the park. Walking really helps somebody who is depressed. And try getting involved with a mommy and me program in your community....they are usually sponsored by a church or library. This will allow you to meet other moms and make some new friends and some for your babies as well.

Most of all don't give up in seeking the help out for yourself. That is very important because even though you may feel better one day, alot of times somebody who is Bipolar will think that they are getting better on their own and only go on to see it get worse.

I am glad that you feel better coming here. It's a great place to come where you will find many wise and caring people who truly do understand. And don't worry about Garrett not understanding......he does seem to really care about you and your finding the help you need will show him what a wonderful person and mom that you are. You are a wonderful person and I am sure he already knows that.

Keep up the good work!! ~ Goody:angel: