Bipolar Brides

It would be because there's a higher risk to myself and my baby than if I were to be unmedicated. I've never had to be hospitalized, but I've gone through periods where I don't get out of bed for weeks, etc. I want to be able to live my life, and be the kind of mother my baby deserves. If medication is what it takes to accomplish that, then hey, okay by me

I've never been diagnosed with anything but I know that I often suffer anxiety attacks, usually when I'm overly stressed and haven't slept much, I just jump in the shower, have a good cry and I'm good to go. My son likes to say I have OCD but only because I like a clean house. I don't think the wedding has stressed me out much but I imagine I will have a meltdown or two before I'm done. I am determined not to have a bridezilla moment!

You and me both Victoria, lol. Someone pinch me if i do.

I'm bipolar and just starting back on my meds. I was off for a year due to insurance issues. got to love prescription assistance. I've been coping pretty well, but I had to take a leave of absence from work. I imagine we will have a stress free wedding so I'm not too worried about it. Especially since I've dealt with everything for the last year without too much trouble. Good luck to everyone, I know how tough it can be.

I am not bipolar, but I have suffered from severe depression and anxiety and an eating disorder for the better part of 8 years. I haven't started major planning (as I have mentioned in other posts) but what little "thinking" I've done about the wedding, has brought up a lot of things for me mentally/emotionally.

@Julie

I agree. I have been hospitalized. And I know I will take medication really good for awhile and then I quit taking it.... but I will start again knowing that my kids can't have the mom they deserve when she is sitting in the hospital for weeks.

I have issues with medication, but deep down I know that I really need it.

My wedding is over now, and I'm not bipolar but I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (with recurrence) and GAD, as well as some OCD and ADD tendencies. I made it through wedding planning and the wedding without medication - mostly by making lots and lots of lists (OCD, after all) - though I came close to needing help a few times. However, now with the wedding over, my anxiety has really flared, I developed palpitations, have been seeing a cardiologist and am now on Wellbutrin.

@digi Do you think that's because you were so used to the stress of planning that not having to plan anything huge like that might be causing you stress and anxiety? I've been stressed for the last three months due to my fall term in college and this is my first week off since the summer. I find myself panicky at times thinking if I am missing something or that i should be doing something and I seriously have to go over in my head and remind myself that there is really nothing that I need to be doing right now.

I was previously diagonsed with gad and depression and have been on and off meds (when I didn't have insurance) for many years. It is currently under control with medication and am doing great. I can tell you that when I first started planning the wedding I started having massive panic attacks from the stress. But I did the right thing and immediatley went to the doctor and it turns out I was on a medication that did not do anything for my sever anxiety. And during that time they wanted to do routine blood tests and it turned out my thyroid was hypo. Also I limited my wedding planning to one item per week and that helped a lot My fh knows about my mental health problems and is very supportive and understands that these "diseases" are no different then other health problems people have. My doc wants to try and wean me off meds in the future see if I my brain can "learn" to produce its own hormones. We'll see if it works.

That's wonderful that you are doing well, Elizabeth! I don't know how much you know about bipolar disorder but there are three classifications, I guess you could call it. I have bipolar 2 disorder, specifically rapid cycling and it's triggered seasonally. My worst times of the year are from the shift between spring and summer and also from the shift between fall and winter. Thanks to my medication, my episodes don't last as long, aren't nearly as insane lol, and don't happen as often as they used to. I've posted a link to the Mayo clinic entry on bipolar for anyone who is interested.

I personally will never be able to fully function without medication because my disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain. A lot of people think bipolar is a mental disorder but it's actually a mood/emotional disorder. I think that people don't truly understand just how much their moods/emotions are a part of everything we do.

(cont.)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS0035

Bipolar disorder (and other disorders or "disabilities") isn't something that you can cure like a disease because it really isn't a disease. The brain just functions a little differently than "normal" brains. That's why doctors talk about managing the behavior because there's nothing to "cure."

I'm getting married in the beginning of fall so hopefully that will help while I'm leaning more towards my "off" season.

Behavior *and symptoms

Ok, bad link. Try this one

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356

Yes I absolutley agree. I think I will most likely need to be on meds for the rest of my life as well. (My doctor is a general practicioner and not a specialist where mental health is concerned he's taken me off before and it I'm okay for about six months or so and back on again) my "we'll see" was said in sarcasm lol. I think I know more about it than he does. I've read and researched about mental health disorders and know they are a result of chemical imbalances. And yes with bipoloar you will need to be on medication for life but hey it's no different than a thyroid disorder! I just wanted to comiserate and say while I don't have bipolar I also have a mental health disorder and wedding planning can aggravate it! I do wish however more people were aware of how mental disorders work. My docter is always so hush hush about it like you don't want anyone to know. And I'm like hey it's just like the diabetes person taking there meds. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks for the link!

And I'm with you on school! Ugh. I just finished my fall semester and I keep wanting to worry about what papers are due and I need to study for my test! Then I have to remind myself and say "this semester is done and you don't need to stress about that anymore".

I too am bipolar II and will need medication for the rest of my life. I just wish it weren't so darn expensive. It's ridiculous how expensive it is.

I have clinical depression, obssessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, anxiety...im on meds...cant live w/o them- thank God for them.

I hear you. Thank god for them.

I get a little annoyed with people / doctors who don't seem to understand the difference between clinical depression and situational depression. Clinical depression is like what you were talking about with bipolar - there is a chemical imbalance in your brain - it simply cannot produce enough hormones to keep you on a "normal" level. Situational depression can happen to anyone, and usually fixes itself (sometimes w/ counseling, meds, etc.) and may only happen to someone once in their life. This is something that FH is still struggling with - knowing that even though I'm happy, and not necessarily in a depressed state, I still have the diagnosis of clinical depression, GAD, etc. It's something that's always going to be there.

Just a pet peeve of mine!!!

There for a while, I was attending a support group for depression and bipolar, hosted by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). For me, this was almost more beneficial (and free!!) than traditional counseling. ctd

You're speaking within a group of people that are going through, or have gone through, the same things that you are. Also, I highly recommend seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist as opposed to a counselor/therapist. For me, having a plan of action and being told what I need to *do* to get better is more beneficial than talking about how something makes me *feel*, if that makes sense. Besides, how many times can one REALLY go over the same issues and then expect different results?

www.dbsalliance.org