Joined a Bipolar Online Support Group: 22 weeks, 4 days

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Hello everyone,



I'm new to this group and very scared to be sharing my privacy with a bunch of strangers - which should be okay, right? I am almost 6 months pregnant and I am seriously depressed. When I found out I was pregnant at the beginning of April I cried for a few days. Then I went on to find out that the father, the person I have loved for the last 10 years, was seeing another woman. Of course, I was devastated, but things were all unplanned.



They tell you to plan your pregnancy when you're bipolar, but hell I was definitely manic when I became pregnant and wasn't thinking with the best intentions. 

Now I see it as a blessing. I was taken off ALL medications in 2 weeks time the minute I found out through my Genetic and Toxic Counselor which medications were harmful to the baby. I saw my doctor and he was crazy and just took me right off. The meds I was on were: Lithium, Lamictal, Depakote, Abilify, Trazadone, Seroquel, Klonopin, Valium.



Afterwards I decided to keep the baby.



The beginning of June I couldn't take it anymore when the baby's father wouldn't discontinue seeing the other woman and I checked myself into the nearby hospital here in the city for a week's time. Since the first day I found out I was pregnant I have been really suffering from depression. It's crazy because I have been manic more than depressed over the last 4 years. 



Currently, the baby's father and I are back together and very happy, but I am still depressed. I live a few states away from him and don't trust him 100% yet and I am also extremely lonely. On top of being pregnant and bipolar, I am unwed and living by myself. 



Did anyone go through something similar? Does anyone know how to cope with depression during pregnancy without medication?



Please let me know, I'd really appreciate it. I'm also very glad to be a part of this support group. I needed something like this for quite some time.